JP2006105806A - Voice information device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To remove a living noise causing a problem at the night using time of equipment performing voice information, and to realize compatibility with convenience brought by the voice information. <P>SOLUTION: When a time clocked by a timepiece 15 is within a reference time band 16, a voice information device 13 removes (reduces to zero) the sound volume of the voice information or reduces (to 1/n-fold) the sound volume of the voice information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a voice notification device that informs a user of the operation state and operation procedure of a device by voice.

  In recent years, as the functions of devices have become more sophisticated and complicated, a voice notification function that informs the user of the operation state and operation method of the device in an easy-to-understand manner has been installed in home appliances and the like.

  Conventionally, when this kind of voice notification device is applied to a refrigerator, for example, when one of a variety of operation switches for setting a variety of operation functions is pressed, the contents related to the function to be started are notified by voice. In addition, when the function is completed, the fact that it has been completed is notified by voice, and even if various functions and operation switches are provided, a device that does not impair the usability of the refrigerator is made (for example, Patent Document 1).

  For example, when applied to a washing machine, as errors in the washing and dehydration processes are diversified as equipment becomes more sophisticated, the user can easily handle the error status and the corresponding method by voice. (For example, patent document 2).

  Such technologies are not limited to refrigerators and washing machines, but for many similar purposes such as microwave ovens, heating cookers, rice cookers, jar pots, air conditioners, hot air heaters, hot water heater remote controls, telephones, and facsimile machines. It is applied to household electrical and electronic equipment.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a conventional voice notification device. The voice notification device 1 includes a voice instruction unit 6 and a volume instruction unit 7 which are realized by a voice IC 2, an amplifier 3, a speaker 4, and a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) 5. A device operating device 8 and a display device 9 are connected to the microcomputer 5 to receive a switch and display an operation state. Further, a control circuit 12 including an output circuit group 10 and an input circuit group 11 is connected to the microcomputer and controls the operation of the device.

For example, when it is intended to notify that the refrigerator starts the quick freezing operation, when the quick freezing switch (not shown) in the operation device 8 is received, the voice instruction means 6 outputs the determined voice data. The voice IC 2 converts the voice data into a voice signal and outputs the voice signal, and the amplifier 3 amplifies the voice signal and outputs the voice signal as a voice. As the notification volume, information on the volume level selected by the user with a switch (not shown) on the operation device 8 from among a plurality of volumes set in advance in the volume instruction means 7 is transmitted to the amplifier 3. Control the degree of amplification.
JP 2002-71259 A JP 2001-353395 A

  However, in the conventional configuration, the notification volume for performing the function explanation, operation explanation, warning explanation, etc. of the device is devised so that the user can arbitrarily set, but the volume is always the same regardless of the time. Informed. Today, life patterns are diversified and there is a shift in living time with family members and neighbors, and household appliances are often used for cooking and housework when living together and neighbors are sleeping. Therefore, at night, the voice notification function is improved in usability, but has a problem that many household electrical appliances that are owned emit noise. Also, since the optimal volume is different between daytime activity time and quiet time at night, there was a problem that if the volume was reduced so that it would not be noisy during quiet nights, it would be difficult to hear in the daytime. .

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and provides a voice notification device in which a voice notification function of a device used inside or outside a house does not become noise at night, and at a volume suitable for a lifestyle pattern. An object of the present invention is to provide a voice notification device that performs notification.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the voice notification device of the present invention is configured not to perform voice notification when the time of a clock provided in the device is nighttime.

  As a result, the device does not perform voice notification at night when there are many sleepers.

  Also, the voice notification device of the present invention is such that the volume of the voice notification is reduced when the time of the clock is nighttime.

  As a result, the notification volume of the device changes between daytime and nighttime, the notification volume at night decreases, and the notification function works at a volume that matches the lifestyle pattern without losing voice notification.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to eliminate night life noise caused by the voice notification function of the device. In addition, it is possible to maintain the convenience of voice notification while suppressing noise at night.

  In a first aspect of the present invention, in a device provided with a voice notification device for notifying the operation state and operation procedure of the device by voice and a clock, the time of the clock is in a night time zone (generally from 22:00 to 6:00). During the night, when there are many sleeping people and a large number of consumers seek quietness, no sound notification is given even if the device is used. Can be eliminated.

  In particular, the second invention allows the user to arbitrarily set the night time zone in which the voice notification of the first invention is not performed, so that the user can freely select the time zone in which the notification sound is eliminated. Therefore, a voice notification function can be provided in accordance with the user's life pattern.

  In the third aspect of the invention, in particular, by enabling the user to select not to perform the voice notification of the first or second invention, it is possible to select the presence or absence of the voice notification at night at the user's will. Therefore, it is possible to give priority to convenience by voice notification to a user living in an environment where noise is not a concern.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in a device provided with a voice notification device for notifying the operation state and operation procedure of the device by voice and a clock, the time of the clock is in a night time zone (generally from 22:00 to 6:00). During the night when many people are sleeping and many people seek quietness by using the device, the volume of the voice notification is lower than the time other than the time of the night. Since the sound notification is performed at a low volume, the daily noise due to the notification sound generated by using the device can be reduced, and the convenience of the sound notification can be continuously provided even at night.

  The fifth aspect of the invention is particularly a time zone in which the notification sound is reduced at the user's will by allowing the user to arbitrarily set a night time zone in which the volume of the voice notification of the fourth invention is low. Can be freely selected, so that it can be used in accordance with the lifestyle pattern of the user.

  In the sixth aspect of the invention, in particular, by enabling the user to arbitrarily set the volume when the volume of the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect of the invention is reduced, it is possible to perform voice notification at night at the user's will. Since the sound volume can be freely selected, the sound volume can be used according to the living environment of the user such as the conditions of the house and the distance to the neighbors.

  In the seventh aspect of the invention, in particular, by enabling the user to select that the volume of the voice notification of any one of the fourth to sixth inventions is reduced, the voice notification at night is performed at the user's will. Since presence / absence of sound reduction can be selected, it is possible to give priority to convenience by voice notification to a user living in an environment where noise is not a concern or a user with weak hearing.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a voice notification device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the voice notification device 13 includes a voice instruction unit 6, a volume instruction unit 7, a reference time zone 16, a comparison unit 17, and a volume attenuation instruction unit 18 realized by a voice IC 2, an amplifier 3, a speaker 4 and a microcomputer 14. Is done. The volume instruction means 7 has four volume instruction levels of “large”, “medium”, “small”, and “none” in advance, and the volume attenuation instruction means 18 previously “0 times”, “1 / n times (n is (Integer greater than or equal to 2) ”and“ 1 × ”have three levels of attenuation instruction level (attenuation coefficient). The microcomputer 14 has the function of the clock 15 inside. The comparison means 17 outputs a coincidence signal to the volume attenuation instruction means 18 if the time counted by the clock 15 is in the reference time zone 16 (between the start time and the end time). A device operating device 19 and a display device 20 are connected to the microcomputer 14 to receive various switches, display operational states, and display a clock. The reference time zone 16 is given a start time and an end time in advance, but a user can set the start time and the end time with a switch (not shown) on the operation device 19. The attenuation instruction level of the sound volume attenuation instruction means 18 can be forcibly set to “1 ×” by a user using a switch (not shown) on the operation device 19. Further, the n value of the attenuation instruction level “1 / n times” of the sound volume attenuation instruction means 18 can be set in a plurality of stages by the user with a switch (not shown) on the operation device 19. A control circuit 12 including an output circuit group 10 and an input circuit group 11 is connected to the microcomputer and controls the operation of the device.

  The operation of the voice notification apparatus configured as described above will be described below.

  For example, when it is intended to notify that the refrigerator starts the quick freezing operation as in the conventional embodiment, the voice instruction means 6 determines when the quick freezing switch (not shown) in the operation device 19 is received. The audio IC 2 is instructed to output the received audio data, the audio IC 2 converts the audio data into an audio signal, and outputs the audio signal. The amplifier 3 amplifies the audio signal and is output as audio from the speaker 4.

  The notification volume is a volume level selected by the user with a switch (not shown) on the operation device 19 from among the volumes “high”, “medium”, “small”, and “none” preset in the volume instruction means 7. In addition, volume information obtained by multiplying the attenuation coefficient selected according to various conditions from among attenuation coefficients of “0 times”, “1 / n times”, and “1 time” preset in the volume attenuation instruction means 18 is transmitted to the amplifier 3. The amplification degree of the amplifier 3 is controlled.

  In such a configuration and operation, the operation and effect when the attenuation coefficient selection condition of the volume attenuation instruction means 18 and the start time and end time of the reference time zone 16 are set as follows will be described. Since the volume attenuation instruction means 18 and the reference time zone 16 are configured by a program of the microcomputer 14, the following settings can be easily realized.

  First, the reference time zone 16 is set from 22:00 to 6:00, and when there is no coincidence signal from the comparison means 17, the attenuation level of the volume attenuation instructing means 18 is set to "1", and when there is a coincidence signal, the attenuation level By setting “0 times”, the volume of the voice notification is lost at night from 22:00 to 6 o'clock, and the user is notified at the volume level set by the user at other times. It is possible to eliminate the night-time noise caused by the notification sound generated by using the device.

Second, in addition to the first setting, by setting the start time and end time of the reference time zone 16 so that the user can change from the operation device 19, the time zone during which the volume of the voice notification is eliminated can be freely set. Can be used according to the user's life pattern. ,
Third, in addition to the first and second settings, by setting the operation device 19 to be provided with a switch for the user to force the attenuation coefficient of the volume attenuation instructing means 18 to “1 ×”, the comparing means Even when there is a coincidence signal from 17, the attenuation coefficient is “1 ×” in preference to it, so that when the switch is enabled for the user's intention, voice notification is also made in the reference time zone 16 at night. The convenience is given priority to the user who lives in an environment where daily noise is allowed.

  Fourth, the reference time zone 16 is set from 22:00 to 6:00, and when there is no coincidence signal from the comparison means 17, the attenuation coefficient of the volume attenuation instruction means 18 is set to "1", and when there is a coincidence signal, the attenuation coefficient Is set to “1 / n times” so that the time level of the clock is lower than the volume level set by the user of the voice notification at night from 22:00 to 6:00. It is possible to reduce the noise at night. Moreover, the convenience of voice notification can be enjoyed together.

  Fifth, in addition to the setting in the fourth setting, by setting the start time and the end time of the reference time zone 16 so that the user can change from the operation device 19, a time zone for reducing the volume of the voice notification is set. Since it can be freely selected, it can be used according to the user's life pattern.

  Sixth, in addition to the fourth and fifth settings, by setting the n value of the attenuation coefficient “1 / n times” when there is a coincidence signal so that the user can change it from the operation device 19, Since the volume level can be adjusted, it can be used according to the living environment of the user.

  Seventh, in addition to the fourth, fifth and sixth settings, by setting the operation device 19 to be provided with a switch for the user to force the attenuation coefficient of the volume attenuation instruction means 18 to “1 ×”. Even when there is a coincidence signal from the comparison means 17, the attenuation coefficient is “1 ×” in preference to it, so that when the switch is enabled for the user's intention, even in the reference time zone 16 at night. For users who live in an environment where the same voice notification as in the daytime is allowed and noise is allowed, the convenience can be prioritized. Ease of listening can be given priority to users such as elderly people who have weak hearing ability.

  In addition, if a plurality of reference time zones 16 are provided and volume adjustment (n-value setting) is possible for each time zone, consideration for daily noise and pursuit of convenience can be performed more finely. become able to.

  As described above, since the sound notification device according to the present invention can reduce the volume according to the time zone to be used, it can be applied to devices that emit a buzzer sound.

The block diagram of the audio | voice alerting | reporting apparatus in embodiment of this invention Block diagram of a conventional voice notification device

Explanation of symbols

2 Voice IC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Amplifier 4 Speaker 6 Voice instruction | indication means 7 Volume instruction | indication means 13 Voice alerting | reporting apparatus 14 Microcomputer (microcomputer)
15 Clock 16 Reference time zone 17 Comparison means 18 Volume attenuation instruction means 19 Operating device

Claims (7)

A voice notification characterized in that a voice notification device that notifies the operation state or operation procedure of the device by voice and a clock and that the clock is not informed when the time of the clock is in the night time zone. apparatus. The voice notification device according to claim 1, wherein a user can arbitrarily set a night time zone in which voice notification is not performed. The voice notification device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a user can select not to perform voice notification. In a device equipped with a voice notification device for notifying the operation state or operation procedure of the device by voice and a clock, when the time of the clock is in the night time zone, the voice is more than when it is outside the night time zone. A voice notification device characterized in that a volume of notification is reduced. The voice notification device according to claim 4, wherein a user can arbitrarily set a night time zone in which a volume of voice notification is low. The voice notification device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the user can arbitrarily set the volume when the volume is reduced. The voice notification device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the user can select that the volume of the voice notification is reduced.

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