JP2021173868A - Voice output system, environment control system and voice output method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a voice output system capable of effectively letting a user smile.SOLUTION: A voice output system 20 comprises a speaker 40 and outputs person's laughing voice from the speaker 40, which outputs, as person's laughs, (I) breathing sound including a laugh with voiceless breathing, (II) an unforced laugh, and (III) the (II) and a laugh following the (II).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to an audio output system, an environmental control system, and an audio output method.

In recent years, the number of people who are in poor physical condition due to stress has been increasing. It has also been reported that laughing is effective in relieving stress. Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses a stimulus inducing device that uses laughter as an auditory stimulus in order to induce an emotion that is favorable to the user.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-30657

However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 cannot effectively induce laughter in the user.

Therefore, the present invention provides a voice output system, an environmental control system, and a voice output method that can effectively induce laughter to the user.

The voice output system according to one aspect of the present invention is a voice output system including a speaker and outputting a person's laughter from the speaker, and the speaker is (I) a breath that does not make a voice as the person's laughter. The breathing sound including the laughter of the messenger, (II) the leaked laughter, and (III) the laughter laughed by the above (II) and (II) are output in this order.

The environmental control system according to one aspect of the present invention detects the voice output system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which outputs the laughter of the person in the target space, and the user existing in the target space. The voice output system includes a detection unit, and when the detection unit detects the user existing in the target space, the voice output system outputs the laughter of the person.

The voice output method according to one aspect of the present invention is a voice output method for outputting a person's laughter from a speaker, and (I) a breathing sound which is a silent laughter and a breathing laughter, and (II). ) The leaked laughter and (III) the laughter laughed by the above (II) and (II) are output in this order.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to realize a voice output system, an environmental control system, and a voice output method that can effectively induce laughter to the user.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline configuration of an environmental control system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the environmental control system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3A is a diagram showing an example of a first table in which the gender of the user and the sound source according to the first embodiment are associated with each other. FIG. 3B is a diagram showing an example of a second table in which the age of the user and the sound source according to the first embodiment are associated with each other. FIG. 3C is a diagram showing an example of a third table in which the psychological state of the user and the sound source according to the first embodiment are associated with each other. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a time-series change of the laughter output by the environmental control system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the environmental control system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the effect of the environmental control system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the environmental control system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the environmental control system according to the second embodiment.

(Background to the present invention)
The stimulus inducing device described in Patent Document 1 discloses that a laughter is output in order to induce an emotion (for example, fun) that is favorable to the user, but what kind of laughter is output is disclosed. It has not been. It is effective to make the user laugh to relieve stress, but it may not be possible to make the user laugh depending on the output laughter. For example, when a voice that suddenly bursts into laughter is output to the user as a laughter, the user often hears the laughter as if it were someone else's affairs and cannot sympathize with the laughter.

Therefore, when a voice that suddenly bursts into laughter is output to the user, it is difficult to effectively laugh at the user. It should be noted that empathy means sharing the pleasant feelings shown by the laughter from the speaker, and for example, the user who hears the laughter also feels happy.

Therefore, the inventors of the present application have diligently studied a voice (laughter) that can effectively make the user laugh, and devised a voice output system, a voice output method, and an environmental control system described below.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that all of the embodiments described below show comprehensive or specific examples. Numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions and connection forms of components, steps, order of steps, etc. shown in the following embodiments are examples, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Further, among the components in the following embodiments, the components not described in the independent claims will be described as arbitrary components.

It should be noted that each figure is a schematic view and is not necessarily exactly shown. Further, in each figure, substantially the same configuration may be designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description may be omitted or simplified.

Further, in the present specification, terms indicating relationships between elements such as large, numerical values, and numerical range are not expressions expressing only strict meanings, but substantially equivalent ranges, for example, about several percent. It is an expression that means that the difference of is also included.

(Embodiment 1)
[1-1. Configuration of environmental control system]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline configuration of an environmental control system 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the environmental control system 1 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the environmental control system 1 is provided in, for example, an open space S (communication space) in a building for communication and the like, and is a system that induces the laughter of a user U existing in the open space S. Is. Specifically, the environmental control system 1 is a system that induces the laughter of the user U in the open space S by outputting a laughter as an auditory stimulus. The open space S is an example of a target space in which the user U exists.

The target space is not limited to the open space S, and may be, for example, an indoor space. The target space may be a space such as a personal booth, a nap booth, an office desk area, or a waiting room in a hospital or the like. The target space may be a narrow space such as a private room. The number of users U existing in the target space is not particularly limited, and may be one or two or more. Further, the user existing in the target space may be standing or sitting. For example, when the target space is a narrow space such as a private room, the user may sit alone in the space. FIG. 1 illustrates a case where two users U are seated.

Further, the environmental control system 1 may be, for example, a system that outputs laughter by broadcasting in the hall in the building. In this case, each floor in the building is the target space, and laughter may be output to all the users U in the building all at once.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the environmental control system 1 includes a camera 10 and an audio output system 20. The audio output system 20 includes a control device 30 and a speaker 40. The number of cameras 10 and speakers 40 included in the environmental control system 1 is not particularly limited, and may be two or more.

The camera 10 detects the user U existing in the open space S by photographing the open space S. The camera 10 detects the user U existing in the open space S, for example, by image analysis of the captured image. In this way, the camera 10 functions as a motion sensor. Further, the camera 10 detects whether or not the user U is laughing by taking an image of the user U existing in the open space S when the voice output system 20 is outputting a laughing voice. The camera 10 detects whether or not the user U is laughing, for example, by image analysis of the captured image. In this way, the camera 10 functions as a state sensor that detects the state of the user U with respect to laughter. The state of the user U with respect to laughter may include, for example, whether or not the user U is laughing, and further includes how much the user U is laughing. The camera 10 is an example of a detection unit.

The position where the camera 10 is provided is not particularly limited as long as it can function as a motion sensor and a state sensor. For example, the camera 10 is provided around a position where the user U hears a laughter from the voice output system 20. In the example of FIG. 1, the camera 10 is attached to a building material such as a wall or a ceiling constituting the open space S. The camera 10 is attached to the construction material in a manner capable of detecting the user U in the open space S. Further, the camera 10 may be, for example, a camera provided in a personal computer, a smartphone, or the like. The camera 10 may be fixed or portable.

Although the motion sensor has been described as an example of the camera 10, the motion sensor is not limited to the camera 10 as long as it can detect the user U existing in the open space S. The motion sensor may be, for example, an infrared sensor or the like. Further, the motion sensor may be a pressure sensor provided on the chair. Further, the motion sensor may be a combination of these sensors.

Although the example in which the state sensor is the camera 10 has been described, the state sensor is not limited to the camera 10 as long as it can detect the state of the user U with respect to laughter. The state sensor may be, for example, a microphone that acquires laughter. Moreover, the state sensor may be a combination of those sensors.

The voice output system 20 is an information processing system for outputting a laughter to the user U. It can be said that the voice output system 20 is an information processing system for outputting laughter to the open space S in which the user U exists. The present embodiment is characterized by the laughter output by the voice output system 20. When the camera 10 detects the user U existing in the open space S, for example, the voice output system outputs the laughter. The audio output system 20 includes a control device 30 and a speaker 40.

The control device 30 controls the laughter output to the speaker 40. For example, the control device 30 causes the speaker 40 to output a laughter according to the user U based on the attribute information of the user U existing in the open space S. The control device 30 is realized by, for example, a server device, and wirelessly communicates with the camera 10 and the speaker 40, but is not limited thereto. The control device 30 includes an acquisition unit 31, a selection unit 32, a control unit 33, and a storage unit 34.

The acquisition unit 31 acquires the attribute information of the user U who hears the laughter (in the case of FIG. 1, the user U existing in the open space S). The attribute information includes at least one such as the gender, age, and psychological state of the user U, for example. The psychological state is, for example, a relaxed state, a stressed state, and the like. The psychological state is the psychological state at the time of being in the open space S. Further, the attribute information may include information on the family structure of the user U, the work environment, and the like.

The acquisition unit 31 may acquire the attribute information of the user U existing in the open space S, for example, by image analysis of the image acquired from the camera 10. The acquisition unit 31 may estimate the psychological state from the facial expression of the user U, for example. Further, the acquisition unit 31 may acquire the attribute information of the user U via a reception unit (not shown) that receives an input related to the attribute information from the user U. The acquisition unit 31 includes, for example, a communication interface.

The selection unit 32 selects one laughter according to the attribute information of the user U from the plurality of patterns of laughter stored in the storage unit 34 according to the attribute information of the user U acquired by the acquisition unit 31. The selection unit 32 selects one laughter according to the attribute information of the user U by using, for example, a table in which the attribute information and the laughter corresponding to the attribute information are associated with each other.

When the attribute information includes information about the family structure of the user U, the selection unit 32 may select a laughter including the laughter of a person close to the person included in the family structure of the user U. For example, when the user U has a child, the selection unit 32 may select a laughter that includes at least a part of the laughter of the child. As a result, the user U can feel the laughter output from the environmental control system 1 more closely, and can be expected to sympathize with the laughter. For example, the laughter from the environmental control system 1 allows the user U to more sympathize with the laughter by remembering the time spent with the child (weekend time, etc.).

The attribute information of the user U may include information regarding the usage history of the user U. The information regarding the usage history may be, for example, information in which the laughter output when the user U has used the environmental control system 1 in the past and the state for the laughter of the user U at that time are associated with each other. .. Further, the information regarding the usage history may be information in which the laughter is associated with the input of the user U for the laughter (such as an input indicating whether or not the stress has been alleviated). The selection unit 32 selects one of the user U's favorite laughter from a plurality of patterns of laughter based on the information in which the laughter output to the user U in the past and the state of the user U with respect to the laughter are associated with each other. You may. The user U's favorite laughter is a laughter that the user U can easily sympathize with, that is, a laughter that the user U can feel close to. User U's favorite laughter is, for example, a child's laughter, an old man's laughter, a male laughter, a female laughter, a loudness or rhythmic laughter that is easy to sympathize with.

Further, the selection unit 32 may select one laughter from a plurality of patterns of laughter according to at least one such as the gender, age, and psychological state of the user U, and the usage history of the user U. good.

The control unit 33 controls each component of the audio output system 20. The control unit 33 controls the speaker 40 to output the laughter selected by the selection unit 32. Specifically, the control unit 33 outputs control information indicating that the selection unit 32 outputs the selected laughter to the speaker 40.

When there are a plurality of speakers 40, the control unit 33 may selectively output laughter from the speakers 40. For example, the control unit 33 may output a laughter from the speaker 40 arranged at the position closest to the user U. In the case of FIG. 1, the control unit 33 may output laughter from only the speaker 40 arranged on the table on which the user U sits, out of the two speakers 40.

The storage unit 34 is a storage device that stores a control program executed by each component of the control device 30 and sound sources of a plurality of patterns of laughter (see, for example, FIGS. 3A to 3C). The storage unit 34 stores the attribute information of the user U and the laughter corresponding to the attribute information in association with each other. Further, the storage unit 34 may store information regarding the usage history of the environment control system 1 in the user U. Further, the storage unit 34 may store information for identifying the user U. For example, the storage unit 34 may store the image of the face of the user U or the feature amount of the face of the user U. The storage unit 34 is realized by a semiconductor memory or the like.

The sound source of laughter is not limited to being stored in the storage unit 34 of the control device 30, and may be stored in the storage unit (not shown) of the speaker 40.

Here, the sound sources of the plurality of patterns of laughter stored in the storage unit 34 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3C. FIG. 3A is a diagram showing an example of a first table in which the gender of the user U and the sound source according to the present embodiment are associated with each other. FIG. 3B is a diagram showing an example of a second table in which the age of the user U and the sound source according to the present embodiment are associated with each other. FIG. 3C is a diagram showing an example of a third table in which the psychological state of the user U and the sound source according to the present embodiment are associated with each other. The sound source shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C means a sound source of laughter (data of laughter). Further, the sound sources shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C are pre-recorded and stored in the storage unit 34.

As shown in FIG. 3A, when the attribute information of the user U includes gender, for example, different sound sources are set for each of male and female. The selection unit 32 selects the sound source A when the user U existing in the open space S is a male, and selects the sound source B when the user U exists in the open space S.

As shown in FIG. 3B, when the attribute information of the user U includes an age, for example, different sound sources are set for each of the ages. The selection unit 32 selects the sound source C when the user U existing in the open space S is in his teens, selects the sound source D when he is in his twenties, and selects the sound source E when he is in his thirties.

As shown in FIG. 3C, when the attribute information of the user U includes a psychological state, for example, different sound sources are set for each of the psychological states. The selection unit 32 selects the sound source F when the user U existing in the open space S is in the relaxed state, and selects the sound source G when the user U is in the stressed state.

The relationship between the attribute information shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C and the sound source is acquired in advance by an experiment or the like.

Although FIGS. 3A to 3C have described an example in which one sound source is set for the attribute information, the present invention is not limited to this. A plurality of sound sources may be set for one attribute information. For example, when the user U existing in the open space S is a male, the selection unit 32 selects two or more sound sources including the sound source A, and further obtains information on the usage history of the user U from the two or more sound sources. Based on this, one sound source of laughter that the user U prefers may be selected.

Here, the configuration of the laughter sound source will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of laughter output by the environmental control system 1 according to the present embodiment. Each of the laughter sound sources A to G shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C has the laughter configuration shown in FIG. In other words, each of the sound sources A to G is composed of a plurality of different types (stages) of laughter rather than monotonous laughter.

As shown in FIG. 4, the laughter sound source has a period of inducing laughter, a period of amplifying laughter, and a period of enhancing immersiveness. Different laughter is output in each of the three periods. In addition, the sound source is seamlessly composed of a period for inducing laughter, a period for amplifying laughter, and a period for enhancing immersiveness in this order. The sound source may include at least a laughter during a period of inducing laughter.

The period for inducing laughter is a period for making the non-laughing user U laugh. That is, the period for inducing laughter is a period for causing the user U to laugh. During the period that induces laughter, a laughter that makes the user U laugh unintentionally is output.

The voices (laughter) output during the period that induces laughter are (Ia) laughing with nasal breathing, (Ib) laughing with shoulders, (II) laughing out loud, and (III) hung. This is the period during which the voice of the laughing person is output in this order. (Ia) to (II) are the laughter of one person and the laughter of the same person. The voice of (III) laughing is, for example, the laughing voice of a person different from the person making the laughing voice of (II), which follows the voice of (II) laughing aloud. That is, (III) is the laughter of others that occurs after (II). It can be said that the laughter of (III) (laughter of the second and subsequent people) is the laughter caused by the laughter of (II) (laughter of the first person).

(Ia) The voice of laughing with nasal breathing is a breathing sound including breathing laughter, which is like "mufufu". The voice of laughing with nasal breathing is a weak rhythmic breathing sound. The voice of laughing with nasal breathing is, for example, a breathing sound in which the vibration of the diaphragm is transmitted as a rhythm. The voice of laughing with nasal breathing may be the breathing of holding back laughter or chewing laughter silently. (Ia) The voice of laughing with nasal breathing does not include laughter.

(Ib) The voice of laughing on the shoulder is a breath sound that breathes deeper than that of (Ia) and contains more low-frequency components in the laughing voice. (Ib) is a laughter in which the laughter is amplified over time, so that the breathing gradually deepens and the low frequency component contained in the laughter gradually increases. (Ib) is, for example, a laughing voice (breathing sound) that changes with time from shallow breathing to deep breathing and the low frequency component is amplified with time. (Ib) is, for example, a breathing sound in which the breathing is deeper than that of (Ia) and a deep bass is added. The low-frequency component means a low-frequency component contained in the breath sound, and is, for example, a component of 100 hz or less, but is not limited to this. (Ib) The voice laughing on the shoulder does not include the laughing voice.

As a result, the rhythm of the body laughing with a swaying shoulder can be transmitted to the user U by breath sounds. Note that (Ib) the voice of laughing on the shoulder is not essential.

(Ia) and (Ib) are examples of breath sounds including (I) non-voiced laughter and breathing laughter. It can be said that (Ia) and (Ib) are breath sounds when laughing silently. Although (Ia) and (Ib) are breath sounds, they are also described as laughing sounds in the present specification.

(II) The voice of laughing aloud is the voice of laughter when the laughter leaks out in spite of having endured laughter such as "huhahaha". It can be said that (II) is a leaked laughter or a laughter when it blows out. That is, (II) the voice of laughing aloud includes a laughing voice.

The voice of a person who is laughed at (III) includes the voice of another person in addition to the voice of (II) laughing aloud. For example, (III) includes (II) a voice that laughs aloud and (II) a voice that laughs with a voice that laughs aloud. The laughter of another person is, for example, the laughter of a person who laughs at the laughter of the person who made the laughter of (II). That is, (III) the voice of a person who is laughed at by being hung up includes the laughter of a plurality of people. It can be said that it is a laughter that reminds us that not only ourselves but also the people around us are having fun.

During the period for inducing laughter, the above-mentioned laughters (Ia), (Ib), (II) and (III) are continuously output in this order. Further, the sound is output without interruption between each of (Ia), (Ib), (II) and (III).

The length of the period for inducing laughter is not particularly limited, but is, for example, about 1 minute.

As a result, it is possible to induce laughter by the user U for at least three periods (three steps), so that it is possible to induce laughter more effectively than when a monotonous laughter is output. ..

The period for amplifying laughter is the period for amplifying the laughter of the user U that occurs during the period for inducing laughter. The period for amplifying laughter includes (IV) the period for outputting the voice of laughter.

(IV) The laughter voice is output after (III), and is a laughter laughter in which the laughter of multiple people laughing in (III) is further increased. (IV) The voice of laughter is, for example, the laughter of (III) in which the laughter is loud (for example, the volume of laughter is loud). (IV) The voice of laughter includes the laughter of multiple people who are laughing while holding their stomachs. (IV) It can be said that the voice of laughter is a laughter that is laughed firmly by multiple people.

As a result, the laughter of the user U (for example, laughter such as smoldering or grinning) that occurs during the period of amplifying the laughter can be amplified.

The period for enhancing the immersive feeling is a period for making the user U feel that the output laughter is a real laughter and enhancing the immersive feeling for the laughter. The period for enhancing the immersive feeling includes (V) a period for outputting the voice of repeatedly laughing.

(V) The repeatedly laughing voice is output after (IV), and the laughing voice of a plurality of people laughing at (IV) becomes a breathless laughter. (V) The voice of repeatedly laughing is a voice reminiscent of laughing too much and not breathing, and is, for example, a burst of laughter including a voice of inhaling or a voice of difficulty in breathing. If the monotonous laughter continues, it becomes impossible to sympathize with the laughter, so it is difficult for the user U to continue laughing. On the other hand, it is possible to realize a laughter that is closer to reality by outputting a laughter that keeps breathing, so that the user U can be immersed in the laughter.

The length of the period for amplifying laughter and the period for enhancing immersive feeling is not particularly limited, but for example, it is preferable that the total period is 2 minutes or more. That is, the speaker 40 may output (IV) and (V) for 2 minutes or more in total. Thereby, for example, even if the user U cannot induce laughter during the period of inducing laughter, the user U can be laughed at the period of amplifying the laughter and the period of enhancing the immersive feeling. This is because the user U tends to give up resistance to laughing by listening to the laughing sound for two minutes or more. The length of the period for amplifying laughter and the period for enhancing immersive feeling may be shorter than 2 minutes. Also, the length of the period for amplifying laughter and the period for enhancing immersiveness may be longer than the period for inducing laughter.

The sound source is voice data in which a series of laughter voices (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (IV) and (V) are recorded in advance. Therefore, the period during which the respective sounds of (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (IV) and (V) are output is set in advance. For example, when the sound of (Ia) is output for a preset period, the sound of (Ib) is output without interruption. In other words, the series of laughter of (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (IV) and (V) is automatically switched sequentially without acquiring the input from the user U, for example.

It can be said that (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (IV) and (V) are voices in which laughter increases in this order.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 again, the speaker 40 is a sound output device that outputs laughter under the control of the control unit 33. The speaker 40 may be arranged in the open space S, for example, or may be realized by a speaker included in a personal computer, a smartphone, or the like owned by the user U.

[1-2. Operation of environmental control system]
Subsequently, the operation of the above-mentioned environmental control system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the environmental control system 1 according to the present embodiment. In addition, steps S102 to S104 and S106 shown in FIG. 5 are operations performed by the voice output system 20.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the camera 10 (presence sensor) detects the user U (Yes in S101), the camera 10 outputs a detection result indicating that the user U has been detected to the control device 30. The camera 10 may output an image when the user U is detected to the control device 30 together with the detection result. If the camera 10 does not detect the user U (No in S101), the camera 10 returns to step S101 and waits until the user U is detected.

The control device 30 may determine whether or not the user U has been detected. In this case, the camera 10 outputs the captured image to the control device 30. Then, the control device 30 may determine whether or not the user U exists in the open space S based on the acquired image.

Next, when the acquisition unit 31 acquires the detection result, it acquires the attribute information of the detected user U (S102). The acquisition unit 31 may acquire the attribute information by input from the user U, or may acquire the attribute information based on the image analysis of the image acquired from the camera 10. Further, when the information for identifying the user U is stored in the storage unit 34, the acquisition unit 31 identifies the user U based on the image analysis of the image acquired from the camera 10, and the attribute of the identified user U. Information may be acquired from the storage unit 34. The acquisition unit 31 outputs the acquired attribute information of the user U to the selection unit 32.

Next, the selection unit 32 selects one from a plurality of patterns of laughter (sound sources of the plurality of laughter) based on the attribute information of the user U (S103). The selection unit 32 selects one sound source based on, for example, the attribute information of the user U and a table (for example, see FIGS. 3A to 3C) to which the attribute information and the sound source are associated. The selection unit 32 outputs information indicating the selected sound source to the control unit 33.

When the user U has used the environment control system 1, the selection unit 32 selects a laughter using the information related to the usage history of the user U as the attribute information of the user U, and the user U is the first environment. When the control system 1 is used, the laughter may be selected using at least one of the gender, age, and psychological state acquired based on the user U's input or image as the attribute information of the user U.

Next, the control unit 33 causes the speaker 40 to output the laughter selected by the selection unit 32 (S104). The control unit 33 reads, for example, the sound source of the laughter selected by the selection unit 32 from the storage unit 34, generates control information for outputting the read sound source, and outputs the control information to the speaker 40. It can be said that the control unit 33 reproduces the pre-recorded laughter sound source via the speaker 40. As a result, the speaker 40 outputs a laughing voice including at least the voices (Ia), (II) and (III).

In step S104, the laughter may be output via headphones or the like. As a result, the user U can hear the laughter and release the stress without worrying about the surroundings.

The camera 10 continues imaging even during the period when the speaker 40 outputs a laughter, for example.

Next, the camera 10 determines the state of the user U (the state with respect to the laughter of the user U) during the period when the speaker 40 is outputting the laughter (S105). The camera 10 determines whether or not the user U is laughing, for example, based on the captured image. The camera 10 outputs a determination result of whether or not the user U is laughing to the control device 30. The determination process in step S105 may be performed by the control device 30.

The control unit 33 stores the state of the user U acquired from the camera 10 in the storage unit 34 (S106). Specifically, the control unit 33 stores the determination result acquired from the camera 10 in the storage unit 34 as the history information of the user U in association with the sound source currently being output.

It is not essential that the operations of steps S105 and S106 are performed.

In the above description, an example in which the trigger for which the processing after step S102 is performed is whether or not the user U is detected has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when an input indicating that the output of laughter is started is received from the user U, the processing after step S102 may be performed, and at a predetermined timing (for example, a predetermined time), the processing after step S102 is performed. May be done.

[1-3. Effects, etc.]
As described above, the voice output system 20 according to the present embodiment is a voice output system including a speaker 40 and outputting a person's laughter from the speaker 40. The speaker 40 uses the laughter of the reporter as (I) breath sounds including the laughter of a silent breather, (II) leaked laughter, (III) leaked laughter, and the leaked laughter. The laughter that is laughed at is output in this order.

As a result, the voice output system 20 outputs at least three different laughter voices, so that the output laughter voice can be sympathized with the output laughter voice as compared with the case where the monotonous laughter voice is output. Therefore, it is possible to effectively induce laughter in the user U.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the effect of the environmental control system 1 according to the present embodiment. The vertical axis shown in FIG. 6 indicates the vitality (positive) of the mind, and the higher the vertical axis, the lower the stress. Further, the horizontal axis indicates the time, "entering the room" indicates the time when the user U enters the open space S, and "exiting" indicates the time when the user U leaves the open space S.

As shown in FIG. 6, the voice output system 20 refreshes the user U and charges the vitality by listening to the laughter output from the speaker 40 and causing the user U to laugh. Therefore, the voice output system 20 can effectively relieve the stress of the user U.

Further, (I) is a respiratory sound that changes with time from shallow breathing to deep breathing and the low frequency component is amplified with time.

As a result, the breath sounds change with time so that the laughter is amplified, so that the user U can more easily sympathize with the laughter. Therefore, it is possible to induce laughter in the user U more effectively.

Further, after (III), the speaker 40 further outputs (IV) a laughter in which a plurality of people burst into laughter with a laughter larger than that of (III).

Thereby, the laughter of the user U generated in (I) to (III) can be effectively amplified.

Further, after (IV), the speaker 40 further outputs (V) a laughing voice that keeps breathing and laughing.

As a result, the user U can feel that the laughter output from the speaker 40 is a true laughter, so that the immersive feeling of laughing can be enhanced. Therefore, it is possible to induce the user U to laugh more effectively. The true laughter does not mean a smirk, but a natural laugh. In addition, if the monotonous laughter continues, the user U feels that he is laughing and cools down, so that he cannot induce laughter.

Further, the speaker 40 outputs (IV) and (V) for 2 minutes or more in total.

As a result, even if the user U has put up with laughing (even if he has resisted laughing), the user U can give up and laugh. Therefore, the output laughter increases the certainty that the user U laughs.

In addition, the acquisition unit 31 that acquires the attribute information of the user U who listens to the laughter of a person, and the laughter of one person from a plurality of patterns of the laughter of the person according to the attribute information of the user U acquired by the acquisition unit 31. A selection unit 32 for selection and a control unit 33 for outputting the laughter of the person selected by the selection unit 32 to the speaker 40 are provided.

As a result, a laughter voice corresponding to the attribute information of the user U is output, so that the user U can be induced to laugh more effectively.

Further, as described above, the environmental control system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a voice output system 20 that outputs a person's laughter in an open space S (an example of a target space) and a user U existing in the open space S. A camera 10 (an example of a detection unit) for detecting is provided. Then, when the camera 10 detects the user U existing in the open space S, the voice output system 20 outputs a human laughter.

As a result, the environment control system 1 can form an environment in which the user U existing in the target space can easily laugh. Therefore, it is possible to effectively induce laughter to the user U in the target space.

Further, as described above, the voice output method according to the present embodiment is a voice output method for outputting a person's laughter from the speaker 40, and (I) laughter without making a voice and breathing laughter. The including breathing sound, (II) leaked laughter, (III) leaked laughter, and laughter laughing at the leaked laughter are output in this order. Further, as a voice output method, the speaker 40 may further output (IV) a laughter in which a plurality of people burst into laughter with a laughter larger than that of (III).

As a result, the same effect as that of the above-mentioned audio output system is obtained.

(Embodiment 2)
[2-1. Configuration of environmental control system]
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the environmental control system 1a according to the present embodiment. The environmental control system 1a according to the present embodiment is different from the environmental control system 1 according to the first embodiment in that the oxygen supply device 50 is mainly provided and the control device 30 controls the oxygen supply device 50. It's different. Hereinafter, the environmental control system 1a according to the present embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the environmental control system 1 according to the first embodiment. Further, the same or similar configuration as the environmental control system 1 according to the first embodiment is designated by the same reference numerals as the environmental control system 1 according to the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted or simplified.

As shown in FIG. 7, the environmental control system 1a according to the present embodiment includes an oxygen supply device 50 in addition to the environmental control system 1 according to the first embodiment.

The oxygen supply device 50 supplies oxygen to the open space S (an example of the target space) in which the user U exists, based on the control of the control unit 33. The oxygen supply device 50 supplies air having a higher oxygen concentration than before the user U laughs during the period when the user U is laughing due to the laughter of a person output from the speaker 40, for example, based on the control of the control unit 33. The oxygen supply device 50 may be controlled to operate only during the period when the user U is laughing.

The oxygen supply device 50 is not particularly limited, and any known device may be used as long as oxygen can be supplied. The oxygen supply device 50 may be, for example, a device that supplies oxygen to the passing air. Further, the oxygen supply device 50 may be a single device or may be provided in an air conditioner or the like. The oxygen supply device 50 is an example of an oxygen supply unit.

The oxygen supply device 50 is arranged in the open space S, for example. That is, the oxygen supply device 50 is arranged around the place where the user U exists.

The control unit 33 controls the operation of the oxygen supply device 50 in addition to the operation of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, an example in which the control unit 33 controls the start and stop of the operation of the oxygen supply device 50 will be described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the oxygen supply amount and the like may be controlled.

When the user U laughs, he / she becomes abdominal breathing and consumes more oxygen than normal breathing. That is, the user U deepens his breathing by laughing and increases the amount of oxygen taken in. Therefore, the control unit 33 controls the oxygen supply device 50 so that oxygen can be efficiently taken into the body when the user U is laughing, for example. Specifically, the control unit 33 controls the oxygen supply device 50 so that, for example, when the user U is laughing, the oxygen concentration around the user U is higher than before the laugh.

The control unit 33 controls the oxygen supply device 50 based on the detection result of the state sensor (camera 10 in the example of FIG. 7). Specifically, the control unit 33 operates the oxygen supply device 50 when the detection result indicates that it is laughing, and stops the operation of the oxygen supply device 50 when it indicates that the detection result is not laughing. The control unit 33 operates the oxygen supply device 50 while the speaker 40 outputs a laughing voice and the user U is laughing.

[2-2. Operation of environmental control system]
Subsequently, the operation of the above-mentioned environmental control system 1a will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the environmental control system 1a according to the present embodiment. In addition, steps S102 to S104, S202, S204 and S205 shown in FIG. 8 are operations performed by the voice output system 20.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the control unit 33 outputs the laughter to the speaker 40 (S104), the camera 10 determines whether or not the user U laughs during the period during which the speaker 40 outputs the laughter (S201). ). The camera 10 determines whether or not the user U is laughing, for example, based on the captured image. The camera 10 outputs a determination result of whether or not the user U is laughing to the control device 30.

Next, the control unit 33 controls the operation of the oxygen supply device 50 based on the determination result acquired from the camera 10. When the control unit 33 acquires a determination result indicating that the user U is laughing from the camera 10 (Yes in S201), the control unit 33 causes the oxygen supply device 50 to supply air having a high oxygen concentration (S202). That is, the control unit 33 starts the operation of the oxygen supply device 50 or continues the operation of the oxygen supply device 50.

By starting the operation of the oxygen supply device 50, the control unit 33 raises the oxygen concentration of the air around the user U more than before the user U laughs. Starting the operation of the oxygen supply device 50 is an example of supplying air having a higher oxygen concentration than before the user U laughs. Further, in the case of Yes in step S201, the control unit 33 may control the oxygen supply device 50 so as to increase the oxygen concentration of the air supplied by the oxygen supply device 50.

Further, when the control unit 33 acquires the determination result indicating that the user U is not laughing from the camera 10 (No in S201), the control unit 33 proceeds to step S204.

Next, in the camera 10, whether or not the laughter of the user U has stopped while the speaker 40 is outputting the laughter and the air having a high oxygen concentration is being supplied to the open space S from the oxygen supply device 50. Is determined (S203). The camera 10 determines, for example, whether or not the laughter of the user U has stopped based on the captured image. The camera 10 outputs a determination result of whether or not the laughter of the user U has stopped to the control device 30.

Next, the control unit 33 controls the operation of the oxygen supply device 50 based on the determination result acquired from the camera 10. When the control unit 33 acquires a determination result indicating that the user U is not laughing from the camera 10 (No in S201), or acquires a determination result indicating that the user U has stopped laughing from the camera 10 (S203). Yes), the oxygen supply device 50 is stopped from supplying air having a high oxygen concentration (S204). That is, the control unit 33 switches the operation of the oxygen supply device 50 to the stopped state, or keeps the operation of the oxygen supply device 50 in the stopped state. Further, when the control unit 33 acquires the determination result indicating that the laughter of the user U has not stopped from the camera 10 (No in S203), the operation of the oxygen supply device 50 is continued, and the process proceeds to step S205.

Next, the control unit 33 determines whether or not the output of the laughter by the speaker 40 is completed (S205). The control unit 33 determines whether or not the output of the laughter based on the sound source selected by the selection unit 32 is completed. When the output of the recorded laughter is finished, the control unit 33 determines that the output of the laughter based on the sound source is finished.

Next, when the output of the laughter is completed (Yes in S205), the control unit 33 proceeds to step S106, and if the output of the laughter is not completed (No in S205), the control unit 33 returns to step S201 and processes after step S201. Continue until the output of laughter is finished.

In this way, the control unit 33 controls the oxygen supply device 50 so as to supply air having a higher oxygen concentration than before the user U laughs during the period when the user U is laughing due to the laughter of a person output from the speaker 40. ..

The determination process of steps S201 and S203 may be performed by the control device 30.

[2-3. Effects, etc.]
As described above, the voice output system 20 according to the present embodiment includes an oxygen supply device 50 that supplies air having a higher oxygen concentration than before the user U laughs during the period when the user U is laughing due to the laughter of a person.

As a result, when the user U laughs and needs a large amount of oxygen, for example, the oxygen concentration in the air can be increased. That is, the user U can efficiently work on oxygen in the body. Therefore, it becomes easy to maintain the situation where the user U is laughing. For example, the stress of the user U can be effectively released.

(Other embodiments)
The audio output system, audio output method, and environmental control system according to one or more aspects of the present invention have been described above based on the respective embodiments (hereinafter, also referred to as embodiments). , The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and the like.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, (Ia) nasal breathing voice, (Ib) shoulder laughing voice, (II) aloud laughing voice, (III) laughing person's voice, (IV) laughter An example of outputting six voices of (V) and (V) repeatedly laughing voice has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. If (Ia) to (V) are included in this order, other laughter may be included.

Further, in the above-described embodiment and the like, the example in which the respective periods of (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (IV) and (V) of the sound source are preset has been described. , Not limited to this. For example, the user may set a period for outputting at least one of (Ia), (Ib), (II), (III), (IV) and (V). The setting may be acquired in advance from the user, for example.

Further, in the above-described embodiment and the like, an example in which the sound source includes only laughter has been described, but at least a part of the sound source may include words reminiscent of interesting things.

Further, in the above-described embodiment and the like, an example in which the environmental control system includes a state sensor has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The environmental control system may include, for example, a reception unit (not shown) that accepts an operation indicating that the user is laughing instead of the status sensor. The reception unit is realized by, for example, a push button or a touch panel.

Further, in the second embodiment, the control unit has described an example in which the operation of the oxygen supply device is started after the user laughs, but the present invention is not limited to this. The control unit may control the operation of the oxygen supply device in synchronization with the output of the laughter. For example, the control unit may operate the oxygen supply device during the period during which the laughter is output from the speaker.

Further, the order of processing described in the flowchart of the above-described embodiment is an example. The order of the plurality of processes may be changed, and the plurality of processes may be executed in parallel.

Further, the communication method between the devices in the above-described embodiment and the like is not particularly limited. Wireless communication may be performed or wired communication may be performed between the devices. Further, wireless communication and wired communication may be combined between the devices. Further, when two devices communicate with each other in the above embodiment, a relay device (not shown) may be interposed between the two devices.

Further, in the above-described embodiment and the like, each component may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or a processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory.

In addition, each component may be realized by hardware. For example, each component may be a circuit (or integrated circuit). These circuits may form one circuit as a whole, or may be separate circuits from each other. Further, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

Further, although the example in which the control device is realized as a single device has been described, the control device may be realized by a plurality of devices. When the control device is realized by a plurality of devices, the components included in the control device may be distributed to the plurality of devices in any way. Further, at least one of the functional units included in the control device may be provided in the camera or the speaker.

In addition, general or specific aspects of the present invention may be realized in a recording medium such as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable CD-ROM. Further, it may be realized by any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program and a recording medium.

For example, the present invention may be realized as a program for causing a computer to execute an audio output method and an environment control method executed by a computer such as a control device. Further, when the voice output system or the environmental control system is realized as a general-purpose mobile terminal, the present invention provides an application program installed on the mobile terminal in order to operate the general-purpose mobile terminal as a voice output system or an environmental control system. It may be realized as. Further, the present invention may be realized as a computer-readable non-temporary recording medium in which such a program is recorded.

In addition, it is realized by subjecting various modifications to the embodiments and the like that can be conceived by those skilled in the art, or by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of the embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Forms are also included in the present invention.

1, 1a Environmental control system 10 Camera (detector)
20 Audio output system 31 Acquisition unit 32 Selection unit 33 Control unit 40 Speaker 50 Oxygen supply device (oxygen supply unit)
S open space (target space)
U user

Claims (10)

A voice output system equipped with a speaker and outputting a person's laughter from the speaker.
The speaker is used as the laughter of the person.
(I) Breath sounds, including the laughter of a silent breather,
(II) The leaked laughter and
(III) An audio output system that outputs the laughter laughing according to the (II) and the (II) in this order. The voice output system according to claim 1, wherein the (I) is a breath sound that changes with time from shallow breathing to deep breathing and the low frequency component is amplified with time. The speaker is further described after (III).
(IV) The voice output system according to claim 1 or 2, which outputs a laughter in which a plurality of people burst into laughter with a laughter larger than that in (III). After the (IV), the speaker further
(V) The voice output system according to claim 3, which outputs a laughing voice that keeps breathing and laughing. The audio output system according to claim 4, wherein the speaker outputs (IV) and (V) in total for 2 minutes or more. The acquisition unit that acquires the attribute information of the user who listens to the laughter of the person,
A selection unit that selects one person's laughter from a plurality of patterns of the person's laughter according to the attribute information of the user acquired by the acquisition unit.
The voice output system according to claim 5, further comprising a control unit that outputs the laughter of the person selected by the selection unit to the speaker. The voice output system according to claim 6, further comprising an oxygen supply unit that supplies air having a higher oxygen concentration than before the user laughs while the user is laughing due to the laughter of the person. The voice output system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which outputs the laughter of the person to the target space.
It is provided with a detection unit that detects a user existing in the target space.
The voice output system is an environmental control system that outputs the laughter of the person when the detection unit detects the user existing in the target space. It is a voice output method that outputs the laughter of people from the speaker.
(I) Breath sounds, which are silent laughter and breathing laughter,
(II) The leaked laughter and
(III) A voice output method for outputting the (II) and the laughter laughing according to the (II) in this order. After (III) above,
(IV) The voice output method according to claim 9, wherein a laughter in which a plurality of people burst into laughter with a louder laughter than in (III) above is output.

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