JP2006163572A - Normally connected communication method, normally connected communication system, and terminal unit and program used in the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce inhibitions at the receiver of information regarding a normally connected communication method for achieving communication between both users between two normally connected terminals by normally communicating information related to the user of each terminal. <P>SOLUTION: A first degree of disclosure is set by a degree-of-disclosure setting section 14. A plurality of pieces of information related to the user of a terminal unit 1 are acquired from a camera 11, a microphone 12, and a sensor 13. A disclosure control section 15 extracts information according to the first degree of disclosure from the plurality of pieces of information, and creates transmission information including the extracted information. A transmission section 16 transmits the transmission information to an opposite terminal. Information transmitted from the opposite terminal is received by a reception section 17. The degree-of-disclosure setting section 14 sets a second degree of disclosure. A presentation control section 18 extracts information according to the second degree of disclosure from information contained in the received transmission information and controls a display section 19 and a speaker 20 so that the extracted information can be presented. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an always-connected communication method and an always-connected type that enable communication between two users by constantly exchanging information about users of each terminal between two terminals that are always connected. The present invention relates to a communication system, a terminal device used in the system, and a program.

In recent years, research and development of an always-connected communication environment has been carried out for the purpose of remote monitoring and confirmation of safety, etc., with an increase in network bandwidth and the establishment of an always-on environment.
Conventionally, this type of always-on communication has a function that allows users to arbitrarily change the disclosed information according to their intentions in consideration of situations that they do not want to show and situations where they feel that privacy is infringed. .

JP 2003-316707 A

As described above, conventionally, it has been considered to protect the privacy of the user on the transmission side by limiting the information transmitted to the other side.
However, people also feel resistance to infringing on privacy. That is, even if the information is sent without being restricted by the other party, the recipient of the information may be reluctant to see the information.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is intended to reduce resistance on the information receiver side.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention enables communication between a user of the first terminal and a user of the second terminal using the first and second terminals that are always connected. In the always-connected communication method, the first terminal sets a first disclosure degree, acquires a plurality of information related to a user of the first terminal, and obtains the first information from the plurality of information. Information is extracted according to the degree of disclosure, and the extracted information is transmitted to the second terminal. The second terminal sets the second degree of disclosure and is transmitted from the first terminal. Information is received, information is extracted from the received information in accordance with the second disclosure level, and the information extracted by the extraction means is presented to the user of the second terminal.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides means for setting a first disclosure degree in the first terminal of an always-connected communication system including first and second terminals that are always connected; Means for acquiring a plurality of pieces of information relating to a user of one terminal, means for extracting information from the plurality of pieces of information in accordance with the first degree of disclosure, and the extracted information to the second terminal Means for transmitting, means for setting a second degree of disclosure in the second terminal, means for receiving information transmitted from the first terminal, and the first information from the received information. Extraction means for extracting information according to the degree of disclosure, and means for presenting the information extracted by the extraction means to the user of the second terminal.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a terminal device that is always connected to a counterpart terminal, a means for setting a degree of disclosure, a means for receiving information transmitted from the counterpart terminal, and the received information. Means for extracting information according to the degree of disclosure and means for presenting the extracted information to a user of the terminal device are provided.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relates to a terminal device that is always connected to a counterpart terminal, a means for setting a first disclosure degree, and a means for acquiring a plurality of information related to a user of the first terminal Means for extracting information from the plurality of pieces of information according to the first disclosure level, means for transmitting the extracted information to the second terminal, and means for setting a second disclosure level; Means for receiving information transmitted from the counterpart terminal, means for extracting information from the received information according to the second disclosure level, and extracting the extracted information to a user of the terminal device And means for presenting.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a computer that is always connected to a counterpart terminal, a means for setting a degree of disclosure, a means for receiving information transmitted from the counterpart terminal, and the received information from the received information. The program is configured to function as means for extracting information according to the degree of disclosure and means for presenting the extracted information to a user of the terminal device.

  According to the present invention, the terminal device can restrict the presentation of received information and can reduce the resistance on the information receiver side.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a constantly connected communication system according to the first embodiment.
The always-connected communication system shown in FIG. 1 is configured by always connecting two terminal devices 1 having the same structure. The two terminal devices 1 are used by different users. For example, the two terminal devices 1 are installed at homes of different households, and are used by the family members of each household. And it enables constant communication between both households. In the first embodiment, the two terminal devices 1 are used by households A and B as shown in FIG.

The terminal device 1 includes a camera 11, a microphone 12, a sensor 13, a disclosure level setting unit 14, a disclosure control unit 15, a transmission unit 16, a reception unit 17, a presentation control unit 18, a display unit 19, a speaker 20, and a feedback unit 21. .
The terminal device 1 can use, for example, a general-purpose computer device as basic hardware. The disclosure level setting unit 14, the disclosure control unit 15, the presentation control unit 18, and the feedback unit 21 can be realized by causing a processor mounted on the computer device to execute a program. At this time, the terminal device 1 may be realized by installing the program in the computer device in advance, or may record the program on various removable recording media or distribute the program through a network. The program may be implemented by appropriately installing it in the computer device.

  The camera 11 acquires video information. For example, a video camera or an electronic still camera can be used as the camera 11. The microphone 12 acquires audio information. The sensor 13 measures a vital value of the user of the terminal device 1 and a value related to the surrounding environment. As the sensor 13, for example, a heart rate monitor, a temperature sensor, an optical sensor, or a vibration sensor can be used. A plurality of information related to the user is acquired by the camera 11, the microphone 12, and the sensor 13.

  The disclosure level setting unit 14 individually sets the first disclosure level and the second disclosure level according to a user instruction. The disclosure control unit 15 extracts information corresponding to the first disclosure degree from information output from the camera 11, the microphone 12, and the sensor 13, and creates transmission information including the extracted information. The transmission unit 16 transmits the transmission information created by the disclosure control unit 15 to the counterpart terminal device 1 (hereinafter referred to as a counterpart terminal). The transmitting unit 16 also transmits feedback information output from the feedback unit 21 as described later to the counterpart terminal.

The receiving unit 17 receives transmission information transmitted from the counterpart terminal. The presentation control unit 18 extracts information corresponding to the first disclosure level from the transmission information received by the receiving unit 17, and controls the display unit 19 and the speaker 20 to present the extracted information.
The display unit 19 displays information under the control of the presentation control unit 18. For example, a liquid crystal display can be used as the display unit 19. The speaker 20 reproduces sound under the control of the presentation control unit 18.
The feedback unit 21 creates feedback information including the information extracted by the presentation control unit 18.

Next, the operation of the always-connected communication system of the first embodiment configured as described above will be described.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the terminal device 1. When the terminal device 1 is activated, the terminal device 1 executes a process as shown in FIG.

First, the terminal device 1 enters the standby state of steps Sa1 to Sa3. In this standby state, the terminal device 1 waits for the arrival of transmission timing, transmission information received by the receiving unit 17, or a request for changing the disclosure level.
When a change in the disclosure level is requested by the user, in the terminal device 1, the disclosure level setting unit 14 proceeds from step Sa3 to step Sa4. In step Sa4, the disclosure level setting unit 14 inputs an instruction to be changed by the operator. In step Sa5, the disclosure level setting unit 14 confirms whether the change target is the first disclosure level or the second disclosure level.

  If the first disclosure level is instructed as a change target, the disclosure level setting unit 14 proceeds from step Sa5 to step Sa6. In step Sa6, the disclosure level setting unit 14 inputs the disclosure level specified by the user. In step Sa7, the disclosure level setting unit 14 changes the first disclosure level to the input disclosure level. After this, the terminal device 1 returns to the standby state of steps Sa1 to Sa3.

  If the second disclosure level is instructed as a change target, the disclosure level setting unit 14 proceeds from step Sa5 to step Sa8. In step Sa8, the disclosure level setting unit 14 inputs the disclosure level specified by the user. In step Sa8, the disclosure level setting unit 14 changes the second disclosure level to the input disclosure level. After this, the terminal device 1 returns to the standby state of steps Sa1 to Sa3.

  The camera 11, the microphone 12, and the sensor 13 acquire and output various types of information related to the user of the terminal device 1. For example, the camera 11 acquires video information of a room where the terminal device 1 is installed. For example, the microphone 12 acquires the sound of the room where the terminal device 1 is installed. The sensor 13 acquires vital information such as the heart rate of the user of the terminal device 1 and environmental information such as the temperature and brightness of the room where the terminal device 1 is installed. These pieces of information are input to the disclosure control unit 15. The disclosure control unit 15 temporarily stores various information output from the camera 11, the microphone 12, and the sensor 13.

  If the transmission timing (for example, every fixed time) has arrived, in the terminal device 1, the disclosure control unit 15 proceeds from step Sa1 to step Sa10. In step Sa10, the disclosure control unit 15 determines the first disclosure level that is currently set. In step Sa11, the disclosure control unit 15 extracts information corresponding to the first disclosure degree from various information temporarily stored, and creates transmission information including the extracted information. This transmission information is transmitted to the counterpart terminal by the transmitter 16. When the transmission information has been created, the terminal device 1 returns to the standby state of steps Sa1 to Sa3.

  On the other hand, when transmission information transmitted from the counterpart terminal arrives, the transmission information is received by the receiving unit 17. The received transmission information is given to the presentation control unit 18. Then, the presentation control unit 18 proceeds from step Sa2 to step Sa12. In step Sa12, the presentation control unit 18 determines the second disclosure level that is currently set. Subsequently, in step Sa13, the presentation control unit 18 extracts information according to the second disclosure level from the received transmission information. In step Sa14, the presentation control unit 18 controls the display unit 19 and the speaker 20 so as to present the extracted information. After this, the terminal device 1 returns to the standby state in steps Sa1 to Sa3.

  Note that the feedback unit 21 creates feedback information including information extracted by the presentation control unit 18. This feedback information is transmitted to the counterpart terminal by the transmission unit 16. The feedback information transmitted from the counterpart terminal is received by the receiving unit 17 and given to the presentation control unit 18. The presentation control unit 18 controls the display unit 19 and the speaker 20 so as to present feedback information. The presentation of feedback information may be performed in parallel with the presentation of information extracted from the received information, or may be performed only when requested by the user.

  Thus, for example, if the first disclosure level in household A is set to a disclosure level that allows disclosure of only voice, transmission information including only voice information is transferred from terminal device 1 in household A to household B. It is transmitted to the terminal device 1. If the second disclosure level is set to allow disclosure of voice in the B household, the terminal device 1 in the B household extracts the voice information from the transmission information, and the speaker 20 based on this voice information. To reproduce the sound. Thereby, in the B household, the voice of the A household side can be heard. However, if the second disclosure level is set to a disclosure level that does not allow the presentation of voice in household B, voice information is not extracted from the transmission information in terminal device 1 of household B, and playback of voice by speaker 20 is performed. Is not done. As a result, the household B does not have to listen to the voice of the household A. Note that the presentation control unit 18 may convert the voice into a volume graph and display it on the display unit 19 when the presentation of the voice is not permitted and the presentation of the graph is permitted.

  In this way, the disclosure level of information permitted by the transmission side is individually set as the first disclosure level, and the disclosure level of information permitted by the reception side is individually set as the second disclosure level. Even if the information is transmitted from the transmission side to the reception side based on the first disclosure level, information that is not permitted to be disclosed based on the second disclosure level is not presented by the terminal device 1 on the reception side. As a result, the user of the terminal device 1 on the receiving side is not presented with an image that the user does not want to see or an audio that the user does not want to hear.

  Such an operation causes a situation in which the information disclosed on the transmission side is different from the information disclosed on the reception side. However, the information presented on the receiving side is returned to the transmitting side as feedback information and presented. Thereby, the user on the transmission side can confirm what information is presented on the other side.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the always-on communication system according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 3, the same elements as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
The always-connected communication system shown in FIG. 3 is configured by always connecting two terminal devices 2 having the same structure. The two terminal devices 2 are used by different users. For example, the two terminal devices 2 are installed at homes of different households, and are used by the family members of each household. And it enables constant communication between both households. In the second embodiment, the two terminal devices 2 are used by households A and B as shown in FIG.

  The terminal device 2 includes a camera 11, a microphone 12, a sensor 13, a disclosure control unit 15, a transmission unit 16, a reception unit 17, a presentation control unit 18, a display unit 19, a speaker 20, a feedback unit 21, a self history storage unit 22, and a partner A history storage unit 23 and a disclosure level setting unit 24 are included. That is, the terminal device 2 includes a disclosure level setting unit 24 instead of the disclosure level setting unit 14 in the terminal device 1, and also includes a self history storage unit 22 and a partner history storage unit 23.

  The self-history storage unit 22 stores life pattern information related to a user of the terminal device 2 in which the self-history storage unit 22 is provided (hereinafter referred to as a self-user). The partner history storage unit 23 stores life pattern information related to the user of the partner terminal (hereinafter referred to as the partner user). The disclosure level setting unit 24 automatically sets the first disclosure level based on the life pattern stored in the self history storage unit 22. The disclosure level setting unit 24 automatically sets the second disclosure level based on the life pattern stored in the partner history storage unit 23. The life pattern information may be manually input by the user, or the user's behavior may be monitored by a sensor or the like and automatically generated based on the history.

Next, the operation of the always-connected communication system of the second embodiment configured as described above will be described.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the terminal device 2. When the terminal device 2 is activated, the terminal device 2 executes processing as shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, steps that perform the same processing as in FIG. 2 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

  The terminal device 2 first enters the standby state of steps Sa1, Sa2, Sb1, and Sb2. In this standby state, the terminal device 2 waits for transmission timing to arrive, transmission information being received by the receiving unit 17, a change in its own time zone, or a change in the other party's time zone.

  When the transmission timing arrives, or when transmission information transmitted from the counterpart terminal is received by the receiving unit 17, the disclosure control unit 15 or the presentation control unit 18 performs the same processing as in the first embodiment. . Therefore, the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment in that information transmission based on the first disclosure level and reception information presentation based on the second disclosure level are performed.

  Now, when the present time becomes a new time zone indicated by the life pattern stored in the self history storage unit 22, the disclosure degree setting unit 24 determines that the self time zone has changed. In this case, the disclosure level setting unit 24 proceeds from step Sb1 to step Sb3. In step Sb3, the disclosure level setting unit 24 determines the disclosure level corresponding to the current time zone. In step Sb4, the disclosure level setting unit 24 changes the first disclosure level to the determined disclosure level. Thereafter, the terminal device 2 returns to the standby state of steps Sa1, Sa2, Sb1, and Sb2.

  On the other hand, when the current time is a new time zone indicated by the life pattern stored in the partner history storage unit 23, the disclosure degree setting unit 24 determines that the partner time zone has changed. In this case, the disclosure level setting unit 24 proceeds from step Sb2 to step Sb5. In step Sb5, the disclosure level setting unit 24 determines the disclosure level corresponding to the current time zone. In step Sb6, the disclosure level setting unit 24 changes the second disclosure level to the determined disclosure level. Thereafter, the terminal device 2 returns to the standby state of steps Sa1, Sa2, Sb1, and Sb2.

  Thus, for example, in the meal time zone in household A, the first disclosure level in terminal device 2 installed in household A and the second disclosure level in terminal device 2 installed in household B are both mealtime zones. Is set to the disclosure level associated with the. Note that the degree of disclosure for each time period can be set separately for the first degree of disclosure and the second degree of disclosure. Also, the degree of disclosure for each time zone can be set individually for each terminal device 2. Thus, for example, even if the meal time zone is set to disclose only the voice in household A, if the meal time zone of the other party is set not to allow presentation of the other party's voice in household B, The speaker 20 of the terminal device 2 installed in the household is automatically set so as not to output sound in the meal time zone of the A household. In addition, for example, “a time period when the language course on Wednesday is viewed on TV is not presented with voice, but only with a graph and video” can be set.

  Thus, in the second embodiment as well, as in the first embodiment, information that is not permitted to be disclosed based on the second disclosure degree is received even if the information is transmitted from the transmission side to the reception side. It is not presented at the terminal device 2 on the side. As a result, the user of the terminal device 2 on the receiving side is not presented with an image that the user does not want to see or an audio that the user does not want to hear. Further, according to the second embodiment, since the first disclosure level and the second disclosure level are automatically set, the user has to set the first disclosure level and the second disclosure level. No.

This embodiment can be variously modified as follows.
In the second embodiment, the disclosure degree setting unit 24 automatically sets the first disclosure degree based on the output value of the vital sensor attached to the user, or the vital sensor attached to the other user. It is possible to automatically set the second disclosure level based on the output value. For example, in a situation where the output value of the heart rate monitor shows that the person is in a nervous / excited state, the child is scolded by automatically setting not to directly send or present information such as voice or video. It is possible to prevent transmission and presentation of audio and video of such scenes. In this case, for example, the output of the vital sensor included in the sensor 13 is input to the disclosure degree setting unit 24 and the output value of the vital sensor of the counterpart terminal included in the transmission information received by the receiving unit 17 is disclosed. What is necessary is just to input to the setting part 24.

  In the second embodiment, the disclosure level setting unit 24 automatically sets the first disclosure level based on the output value of the environmental sensor in the own user's household, or the environmental sensor in the other user's household. It is possible to automatically set the second disclosure level based on the output value. For example, living behavior such as when sleeping can be assumed from the output values of the brightness sensor and temperature sensor, so by automatically setting the disclosure level according to this, according to the living behavior of the user The transmission information can be restricted and the reception information can be presented in accordance with the living behavior of the other user. In this case, for example, the output of the environmental sensor included in the sensor 13 is input to the disclosure degree setting unit 24 and the output value of the environment sensor of the counterpart terminal included in the transmission information received by the receiving unit 17 is disclosed. What is necessary is just to input to the setting part 24.

  Information acquisition devices other than the camera 11, the microphone 12, and the sensor 13 may be included as means for acquiring information. In addition, information input devices such as the camera 11, the microphone 12, and the sensor 13 may be externally attached without being included in the terminal devices 1 and 2. In this case, the terminal devices 1 and 2 may be provided with an interface circuit or the like as a means for acquiring information, and the information output from the external information input device as described above may be acquired.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a constantly connected communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart which shows the process sequence in the terminal device 1 in FIG. The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the always-connected communication system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the process sequence in the terminal device 2 in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 2 ... Terminal device, 11 ... Camera, 12 ... Microphone, 13 ... Sensor, 14 ... Disclosure degree setting part, 15 ... Disclosure control part, 16 ... Transmission part, 17 ... Reception part, 18 ... Presentation control part, 19 ... Display unit, 20 ... speaker, 21 ... feedback unit, 22 ... self history storage unit, 23 ... partner history storage unit, 24 ... disclosure level setting unit.

Claims (8)

In the always-connected communication method that enables communication between the user of the first terminal and the user of the second terminal using the first and second terminals that are always connected,
In the first terminal,
Set the first disclosure level,
Obtaining a plurality of information related to the user of the first terminal;
Extracting information from the plurality of pieces of information according to the first degree of disclosure;
Sending the extracted information to the second terminal;
In the second terminal,
Set a second level of disclosure,
Receiving information transmitted from the first terminal;
Extracting information from the received information according to the second disclosure level;
An always-connected communication method characterized by presenting information extracted from the received information by an extraction means to a user of the second terminal.   At least one of the first terminal and the second terminal automatically sets the first disclosure level or the second disclosure level based on a life pattern of the first user. The always-connected communication method according to claim 1.   At least one of the first terminal and the second terminal automatically sets the first disclosure degree or the second disclosure degree based on a vital value related to the first user. The always-connected communication method according to claim 1.   At least one of the first terminal and the second terminal automatically sets the first disclosure degree or the second disclosure degree based on a value related to the surrounding environment of the first terminal. The always-connected communication method according to claim 1, wherein: An always-connected communication system including first and second terminals that are always connected,
The first terminal is
Means for setting the first degree of disclosure;
Means for obtaining a plurality of information relating to a user of the first terminal;
Means for extracting information from the plurality of pieces of information according to the first degree of disclosure;
Means for transmitting the extracted information to the second terminal,
The second terminal is
Means for setting a second degree of disclosure;
Means for receiving information transmitted from the first terminal;
Extraction means for extracting information from the received information according to the second degree of disclosure;
Means for presenting the information extracted by the extracting means to a user of the second terminal; A terminal device that is always connected to a partner terminal,
Means for setting the disclosure level;
Means for receiving information transmitted from the counterpart terminal;
Means for extracting information from the received information according to the degree of disclosure;
A terminal device comprising: means for presenting the extracted information to a user of the terminal device. A terminal device that is always connected to a partner terminal,
Means for setting the first degree of disclosure;
Means for obtaining a plurality of information relating to a user of the first terminal;
Means for extracting information from the plurality of pieces of information according to the first degree of disclosure;
Means for transmitting the extracted information to the second terminal;
Means for setting a second degree of disclosure;
Means for receiving information transmitted from the counterpart terminal;
Means for extracting information from the received information according to the second degree of disclosure;
A terminal device comprising: means for presenting the extracted information to a user of the terminal device. A computer that is always connected to the other terminal
Means for setting the disclosure level;
Means for receiving information transmitted from the counterpart terminal;
Means for extracting information from the received information according to the degree of disclosure;
A program that functions as means for presenting the extracted information to a user of the terminal device.

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