JP2006293717A - Mail annunciator apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mail annunciator apparatus providing control of the apparatus itself by a registered communication counterpart via E-mail, capable of enhancing entertainment by adding diversity to its effects, providing confident operation even to an old person or the like, and superior in functionality such as reply operation and safety confirmation. <P>SOLUTION: The mail annunciator apparatus is composed such that it is provided with an Internet connection means connected by wire or radio to a mail server on the Internet, an effect executing means having at least one of a luminescent part, a sound producing part, an image display part, and an action part built in an apparatus body, and a control means for operating the effects executing means in a predetermined effects pattern on the basis of data of E-mail from a particular address acquired from the Internet connection means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a mail notification device that connects to a mail server via the Internet to notify the arrival of an electronic mail.

In recent years, with the spread of communication technologies such as mobile phones and personal computers, various Internet services can be easily used. Among such Internet services, e-mail is widely used from the viewpoints of low cost when sending to remote locations and convenience such as simultaneous transmission, for example, as a means of notifying elderly people living alone, etc. Is also effective. For example, the following are known in relation to the technology for notifying the surroundings of incoming e-mails and telephone calls.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-260688 has a part of the outer shape formed so as to be operative, and is connected to a computer via a wireless or wired communication line, and e-mail incoming information sent from the computer through the communication line. An e-mail incoming notification device is disclosed which receives and drives part of the outer shape accordingly.
Patent Document 2 discloses a telephone incoming call notification doll that operates a notification means having any one of a drive device, a light emitting device, and a sound generation device in accordance with a detection signal from a detection means for detecting an incoming call or a hook on a telephone line. It is disclosed.
JP 2001-14233 A JP-A-11-308305

  However, the conventional e-mail notification device and the incoming call notification doll described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 only perform a certain notification operation at the time of the incoming call. Until then, it was difficult for elderly people to receive incoming calls from a specific partner, and there was a problem that they sometimes gave anxiety about so-called wire fraud that became a social problem. Furthermore, in a conventional mail notification device, an external registered communication partner controls the device itself to check the safety of the elderly when necessary, or the elderly can easily reply to the sent e-mail. There is a problem that the functionality of the reply operation and the safety confirmation is lacking.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described conventional problems. An external registered communication partner can also control the apparatus itself via e-mail, which adds entertainment diversity and entertainment. It is an object of the present invention to provide an e-mail notification device that can be operated with peace of mind even by elderly people, etc., and has excellent functionality such as a reply operation and safety confirmation.

(1) A mail notification device according to the present invention as set forth in claim 1 is a mail notification device that obtains mail information via the Internet and performs a predetermined presentation operation, and is wired or wirelessly connected to a mail server on the Internet. Internet connection means for sending and receiving e-mails, production execution means having at least one of a light emitting part, a sounding part, an image display part, and an operation part built in the apparatus body, and a specification acquired from the Internet connection means And control means for operating the effect executing means in a predetermined effect pattern based on e-mail data from the address.

(2) The mail notification device according to the present invention as set forth in claim 2 is characterized in that, in (1), the device body is formed in a doll shape imitating various anime characters and animals. Yes.

(3) In the mail notification device according to the third aspect of the present invention, in the above (1) or (2), the control means discriminates an e-mail from a specific address registered in advance, and uses this specific address. A corresponding person photograph or character image is displayed on the image display unit, and the content of the mail is read out by the sound generation unit with a person voice corresponding to the specific address.

(4) In the mail notification device according to the present invention described in (4), in any one of (1) to (3), the control means instructs an effect program or a specific effect operation described in the e-mail. It is also characterized in that a keyword is detected and the effect execution means is operated in accordance with the effect program and the keyword.

(5) The e-mail notification device according to the present invention as set forth in claim 5 is the detection according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein life information such as sound, vibration, temperature and humidity around the device body is acquired. And the control means periodically transmits the life information data to a predetermined address via the Internet connection means.

(6) In the mail notification device according to the present invention, in any one of (1) to (5), recording data and / or imaging data around the device body addressed to an e-mail address received by the Internet connection means. There is also a feature in that an e-mail reply operation unit is provided for adding a reply in real time.

  According to the present invention, since the effect execution means is operated with a predetermined effect pattern based on the data of the e-mail from the specific address acquired from the Internet and the incoming mail is notified, the external registered communication partner is the electronic The device itself can be controlled via e-mail to add a variety of effects to enhance entertainment, and it has operability that is easy to handle even for elderly people and has excellent notification properties.

  The mail notification apparatus according to the present embodiment is a mail notification apparatus that obtains mail information via the Internet and performs a predetermined presentation operation, and transmits and receives electronic mail by wired or wireless connection to a mail server on the Internet. Internet connection means, an effect execution means having at least one of a light emitting part, a sounding part, an image display part, and an operation part built in the apparatus main body, and an e-mail from a specific address acquired from the Internet connection means Control means for operating the effect executing means in a predetermined effect pattern based on the data.

  The e-mail notification device is designed in a familiar form such as a doll shape such as an animation character so that it is placed on a desk etc. as part of the interior, but it has functionality as a box type with a simple appearance. It may be something that appeals. It should be noted that the control means described below can be arranged so as to be connected to the main body of the apparatus as a separate body from these dolls.

  The Internet connection means is a communication device that is connected to a communication device such as a desktop or notebook computer or a mobile phone via a wireless LAN, a wired LAN, an infrared device, a serial or parallel connection cable, etc. Is connected to the Internet to access a mobile phone company registered in advance or a mail server of a specific site.

  The effect execution means is, for example, a light emitting unit such as an LED light emitting element or a strobe lamp provided at a predetermined position of the apparatus main body, a sound generating unit such as a microphone, an image display unit such as a liquid crystal panel, or a case where the apparatus main body is a doll shape. It is configured to include at least one of operation parts for driving or vibrating a limb, a neck or the like.

  The control means includes a control circuit equipped with an IC such as a one-chip microcomputer, and accesses the mail server via the Internet connection means and an external computer. It has a function of analyzing the incoming contents and address data of the e-mail acquired in this way and operating the effect execution means with a predetermined effect pattern registered corresponding thereto. The mail notification device controls the effect execution means via e-mail to add a variety of effects, and it is easy to recognize the contents of incoming mail even for elderly people and the like, so that the notification property can be improved.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, the mail notification apparatus according to the first embodiment will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a mail notification device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an operation state of the mail notification device, and FIG. 3 shows an Internet connection state of the mail notification device. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the mail notification apparatus.
1 to 4, 10 is a mail notification device formed in the doll shape of the first embodiment, and 11 is for wirelessly connecting to a computer C connected to the Internet to send and receive e-mail to a mail server on the Internet. Internet connection means, 12 is a light emitting unit 12a built in the doll-shaped device main body 10a, a sound generation unit 12b, an image display unit 12c, an effect execution means having an operation unit 12d, and 13 is a specification acquired from the Internet connection unit 11 It is a control means such as a microcomputer for operating the effect execution means 12 in a predetermined effect pattern based on the data of the e-mail from the address.

  The device body 10a of the mail notification device 10 is configured in a doll shape as shown in the figure, and a light emitting portion 12a provided with an LED light emitting element is provided on the eyeball portion of the head, and a sounding portion 12b and an image display portion are provided on the body portion. 12c is arranged. The effect execution means 12 including the light emitting part 12a, the sound generation part 12b, the image display part 12c, and the operation part 12d are connected to the interface of the control means 13 and controlled by a control signal from the control means 13. ing.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram when the effect execution means 12 is operated, and FIG. 2A shows a state in which predetermined music or sound effects are being flown around by the speaker of the sound generation unit 12b. b) shows a state in which the light emitting unit 12a is lit to produce a mysterious effect, and FIG. 2 (c) shows an image of the e-mail sender on the image display unit 12c, thereby improving the notification property. Each state is shown. These effects are executed alone or in a predetermined combination by a program loaded in the control means 13 for controlling the effect execution means 12 described later. Although not shown, the operation unit 12d includes an electric motor, and can drive a part such as a hand of the doll-shaped mail notification device 10.

  In addition, although the light emission part 12a, the sound generation part 12b, the image display part 12c, and the operation | movement part 12d can be selected or abbreviate | omitted according to the use purpose and the condition, in order to make an effect execution means function effectively for elderly people etc. In addition, it is preferable to combine any two or more of these because the effect of the presentation and the notification property can be enhanced. For example, when an incoming mail from a specific address is detected, a human photograph or character image corresponding to the specific address is displayed on the image display unit 12c, and the sound content is read out by the sound generation unit 12b using voice corresponding to the specific address. Thus, it is possible to realize a communication environment that is easy to get familiar with elderly people by setting a production program. Note that the voice may be a voice imitating the voice of a person corresponding to the specific address.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the Internet connection means 11 is connected to a wireless LAN communication device D of the computer C and can access the Internet through the computer C as shown in FIG. Can communicate with each other. The Internet connection means may be configured to connect directly to a mail server of a mobile phone company without using a computer such as a mobile phone.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a flowchart for controlling the effect execution means 12. Hereinafter, the operation procedure of the control means 13 will be described with reference to this flowchart.
First, in step S1, data such as a time interval for connecting to an Internet server, a connection address, a password, specific received address data such as a close relative, a caregiver, and an acquaintance, a program executed corresponding to each address, etc. Is registered in the memory of the control means 13 and set.
Next, the execution time is acquired with reference to a timer built in the control means 13 (step S2), and in step S3, the time data matches a preset condition such as a time interval or a reception time registered in advance. If it does not match, the process returns to step S2.
If the condition is satisfied in step S3, the process proceeds to step S4 to access a registered mail server on the Internet via the Internet connection means 11.
In step S5, the presence / absence of an incoming e-mail is checked. If there is no incoming call, the process returns to step S2.
In step S6 when it is determined that there is an incoming call, the sender's address data is extracted, and it is determined whether or not the extracted sender's address is included in the permitted sender / receiver list registered in advance. Thus, if the electronic mail is not included in the permitted sender / receiver list, the process returns to step S2 and is ignored. On the other hand, if the email corresponds to the list, the process proceeds to step S7.
In step S7, the electronic mail information is analyzed. Here, the sender data by the address determined in the previous step S6, text data in the mail, etc. are acquired.
Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S8. In this step S8, a predetermined effect pattern is set based on a comparison table of the address of the specific sender / receiver registered in advance and the effect pattern to be executed correspondingly. For example, if the sender's address is the address of a specific caregiver, the production pattern that prompts the administration of a drug, meals, etc., and the address corresponding to the user's grandchild, etc. An effect pattern or the like that calls the incoming call by the recorded voice is associated. In this way, the control means 13 controls the effect execution means 12 by a program for selecting and executing such an effect pattern, and an appropriate operation according to the condition is realized, and the effect is based on the effect pattern based on the mail information. The execution means 12 is controlled (see FIG. 2). Then, after the effect execution process is completed, the process returns to step S2.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of a modified example different from the flowchart. In this example, the addresses of specific senders and receivers registered in advance are divided into groups A, B, and C. In group A, the content of the presentation is determined only by the address of the sender, and in group B, the sender is predetermined. The keyword is described in the email, and the contents of the presentation are determined based on the keyword. In the group C, the sender attaches a predetermined program to the mail, and the contents of the presentation are determined based on the program. Yes.
Hereinafter, the operation procedure of the control means 13 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Note that steps S1 to S5 of the operation flow of the control means 13 in this modification are the same as the first half of steps S1 to S5 in the flowchart of FIG. Steps subsequent to step S5 will be described with respect to steps S10 to S16.

In step S10 when it is determined that there is an incoming call in step S5, the sender address, a keyword for instructing a predetermined presentation operation included in the mail text, or a specific program from the e-mail data acquired in step S5 of FIG. An execution script of the control means 13 described by the format is extracted.
In step S11, it is determined whether or not the address group A registered in the data extracted in step S10 is included. If so, the process proceeds to step S14, and if there is no data corresponding to the address group of the A group, the process proceeds to the next determination step S12.
In step S12, it is determined whether or not the data extracted in step S10 includes an address group of group B including a keyword registered in advance. If it is determined that the B group address group is included, the process proceeds to step S15. If there is no data corresponding to the B group address group, the process proceeds to the next determination step S13.
In step S13, it is determined whether or not an address group of C group registered in advance so as to transmit an email including a predetermined executable program is included. If it is determined that the address group of the C group is included, the process proceeds to step S16, and if there is no data corresponding to the address group of the C group, the process returns to step S2.

すなわち、演出パターンＡでは、送信者に応じて、例えば図２に示したように、発光部１２ａ発光させたり、発音部１２ｂから音を発したり、画像表示部１２ｃに画像表示を行わせるなどするのである。 In step S14, step S15 and step S16, the control means 13 executes a predetermined effect pattern A based on the reference table shown in Table 1 and returns to step S2.

That is, in the effect pattern A, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, the light emitting unit 12a emits light, the sound generating unit 12b emits sound, or the image display unit 12c displays an image. It is.

  In step S15, a predetermined effect pattern B based on the reference table (Table 1) is executed according to the detected specific registered keyword, and then the process returns to step S2. For example, if the user of the e-mail notification device 10 is a young person or the like, and a keyword such as “mystery operation” is included in the e-mail body or title, the incoming time, a preprogrammed time, or a predetermined time It is possible to perform a mysterious staging operation by causing the light emitting unit 12a disposed on the eyeball portion of the doll shape to emit light at a timing such as a time interval and generating a sound effect such as a scream through the sound producing unit 12b. In addition, using the nickname of the mail sender as a keyword, music or sound effects that are closely related to the sender are played from the sound generation unit 12b, so that healing, effects, and notification are improved.

  In step S16, an e-mail contains a program such as a script that can be executed. Therefore, an application corresponding to the program is called to execute the executable presentation pattern C, and the process returns to step S2. Is done. For example, when a CGI script such as Perl described as text is included in the mail body, the CGI application is executed and various effect execution means 12 (light emitting unit 12a, sound generating unit 12b, image, etc.) with a predetermined effect pattern. The display unit 12c and the operation unit 12d) are operated individually or appropriately combined. In this way, the mail notification device according to the modification can select and execute various performance patterns according to the user's situation using electronic mail.

  The mail notification device 10 according to the first embodiment is configured as described above, analyzes the address of the electronic mail acquired via the Internet connection means 11 and the data serving as the content thereof, and registers the corresponding predetermined information. The effect execution means 12 can be operated according to the effect pattern. In this way, the mail notification device appropriately controls the effect execution means 12 including the light emitting unit 12a, the sound generation unit 12b, the image display unit 12c, and the operation unit 12d via e-mail, so that the mysterious operation and the healing operation are performed. The e-mail notification device 10 formed into a doll shape can be driven to add entertainment, and it is easy to recognize incoming e-mails to elderly people with reduced sensory functions, etc. be able to.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 7 is a block configuration diagram of the mail notification device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining its operating state. Hereinafter, the mail notification apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
In FIG. 7, reference numeral 20 denotes a mail notification device according to the second embodiment, which is also a doll shape similar to that of the first embodiment. 21 is a mail reply operation unit provided on the apparatus body formed in a doll shape, 22 is an acoustic sensor, vibration sensor, and temperature sensor for acquiring life information such as sound, vibration, temperature, and humidity around the apparatus body. It is a detection means for providing and transmitting these detection signals to the control means 13. The mail notification device 20 of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, except that the mail reply operation unit 21 and the detection means 22 are added. Those having the same reference numerals are given the same descriptions, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The mail reply operation unit 21 is, for example, a push button or the like provided on the hand part of the apparatus body such as a doll shape, and when the user recognizes the incoming mail by looking at the operation of the effect execution means 12. By operating this push button, the control means 13 has a command transmission function for instructing a predetermined mail reply operation in response to the mail. As a result, safety information and the like can be easily and reliably transmitted to the address of the sender even in the elderly and infants.

  The detection means 22 is activated via the control means 13 periodically at a predetermined time or by an activation command described in a text format in the mail body or title of the external mail. After activation of the detection means 22, acquisition of surrounding life information is acquired for a predetermined time, and this data is stored in the memory of the control means 13, and an e-mail received at a specific address via the Internet connection means 11 is received. As a trigger, life information is sent to addresses such as pre-registered caregivers. In addition, the control program of the control means 13 is provided with a determination program for checking the abnormality of the life information data, and when this abnormality is determined, a warning mail prepared in advance is sent via the Internet connection means 11. It may be transmitted to the address of the caregiver or caregiver.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a flowchart for controlling the effect executing means 12 in the second embodiment. Hereinafter, the operation procedure of the control means 13 will be described with reference to this flowchart.
First, in step S20, data such as a time interval at the time of Internet connection, a connection address, and a specific reply destination address such as a close relative or a caregiver are set in the memory of the control means 13.
Next, the execution time is acquired by referring to the timer built in the control means 13 (step S21), and in step S22, the time data matches the preset conditions such as the time interval and the reception time. If it does not match, the process returns to step S21.
If the condition is satisfied in step S22, the process proceeds to the next step S23, and if not, the process proceeds to step S25.
In step S23, the memory of the control means 13 is accessed or the detection means 22 is directly accessed to acquire life information stored in the memory and life information data obtained in real time.
In the next step S24, life information data is transmitted to addresses such as caregivers and close relatives registered in advance, and the process returns to step S21.
In step S25 when the time condition is not satisfied in step S22, it is checked whether the user has operated the mail reply operation unit 21 or not. When the mail reply operation unit 21 is operated, a mail prepared in advance, for example, “I am fine”, is sent to the address of the email received by the user, and the process returns to step S21 (step S26). ). On the other hand, when it is determined that the mail reply operation unit 21 is not operated, the process returns to step S21 and the above flow is repeatedly executed.

  As described above, the mail notification device 20 according to the second embodiment includes the detection unit 22 such as a sensor that acquires life information such as sound, vibration, temperature, and humidity around the device main body 10a. Since life information data can be transmitted to this predetermined address via the Internet connection means 11, the safety confirmation about the elderly living alone can be automatically performed at an appropriate timing via e-mail. Further, the mail reply operation unit 21 is provided that can send back the recorded data and / or imaging data around the apparatus body to the address of the e-mail received by the Internet connection means 11 and can reply in real time. In addition, the elderly can report the current state in real time without taking time and effort to the destination of the incoming mail, and is excellent in operability.

  Although the first and second embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. That is, the present invention has a gist of controlling a production execution means based on mail information of an e-mail acquired through an Internet connection means and performing a predetermined production operation, and falls under this. Belongs to the present invention. For example, in the present embodiment, a doll-shaped device is exemplified as the apparatus main body, but a predetermined effect image is displayed as a moving image or a still image on a liquid crystal panel provided as a box-type device having a functional design. You can also.

2 is an explanatory diagram of a mail notification device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the operation state of the same mail alerting device. It is explanatory drawing which shows the internet connection state of the same mail alerting | reporting apparatus. It is a block block diagram of the same mail alerting device. It is a flowchart which controls an effect execution means. It is a modification of the flowchart which controls an effect execution means. 6 is a block configuration diagram of a mail notification device according to Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a flowchart which controls the production execution means in the same mail alerting device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Mail notification apparatus of Embodiment 1 10a Apparatus main body 11 Internet connection means 12 Production execution means 12a Light emission part 12b Sound generation part 12c Image display part 12d Operation | movement part 13 Control means 20 Mail notification apparatus of Embodiment 2 21 Mail reply operation part 22 Detection means

Claims (6)

An e-mail notification device that acquires e-mail information via the Internet and performs a predetermined production operation,
Internet connection means for sending and receiving e-mails via a wired or wireless connection to a mail server on the Internet;
Production execution means having at least one of a light emitting unit, a sound generation unit, an image display unit, and an operation unit incorporated in the apparatus body
Control means for operating the effect execution means in a predetermined effect pattern based on e-mail data from a specific address acquired from the Internet connection means;
A mail notification device characterized by comprising:   The mail notification device according to claim 1, wherein the device main body is formed in a doll shape imitating various anime characters and animals.   The control means discriminates an e-mail from a specific address registered in advance, displays a person photograph or character image corresponding to the specific address on the image display unit, and corresponds to the specific address by the sound generation unit. 3. The mail notification device according to claim 1, wherein the mail content is read out by human voice.   The control means detects an effect program described in the e-mail or a keyword indicating a specific effect operation, and causes the effect execution means to perform a predetermined operation according to the effect program or the keyword. The mail notification device according to any one of the above.   It comprises a detecting means for acquiring living information such as sound, vibration, temperature, humidity, etc. around the apparatus main body, and periodically transmits the data of the living information to a predetermined address via the control means and the Internet connecting means. The mail notification device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The mail reply operation section for adding a recording data and / or imaging data around the apparatus main body and replying in real time to the address of the electronic mail received by the Internet connection means is provided. The mail notification device according to any one of 1 to 5.

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