JP3485516B2 - Voice output toys - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To output a different sound or voice corresponding to the time or the pressure of operation of a switch of a sound processor. SOLUTION: This processor has a control means 1 which reads the different sound or voice out of a storage means 2 or 3 according to the time or the pressure of operation of a switch 8 when the switch is operated and outputs it from a sound output means 7. For example, when the switch 8 is operated shorter than a specific time (stronger than specific pressure), a voice expressing anger is read out of the storage means 2 or 3 and outputted from the sound output means 7. When the switch 8 is operated shorter than the specific time (weaker than the specific pressure), a pleasure signal expressing a comfortable voice is read out of the storage means 2 or 3 and outputted from the sound output means 7.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a voice output toy having a function of outputting a registered sound or voice and having an operation switch for starting / stopping the function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The function of registering and outputting an input sound or voice is applied to, for example, a toy such as an electronic pet or a timepiece device which wakes up by voice. In a toy such as an electronic pet, a button type wake-up / sleep switch for waking up the sleeping electronic pet or forcibly putting it to sleep is provided on its head or the like. Further, in the timepiece device, a switch for voice registration may be provided separately, but a sound or voice voice output stop switch is often provided in the upper part of the timepiece also as an alarm button. It is known in the related art to output a specific sound or voice when these switches are operated.

[0003]

In this conventional voice processing apparatus (for example, a toy, a clock, etc.), when a switch for waking up / sleeping or stopping voice output is operated, it is output according to the operation. There are cases where a plurality of types of sounds or voices are used, but conventionally, it was necessary to set the values in advance using a setting button or the like. Therefore, particularly in the case of a toy such as an electronic pet or a timepiece device imitating a pseudo creature, the reaction of the electronic pet (pseudo creature) cannot be changed according to the strength hit by the head,
The taste was poor.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a voice processing device having an enhanced taste by outputting different sounds or voices according to the time or pressure when the switch is operated. With the goal.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art and to achieve the above object, a voice output toy according to the present invention is provided with a voice output means and a voice output according to an operation.
Force switch to switch between start mode and stop mode <br/> and a timing signal to keep the start mode duration
Time output means and audio output based on the above time signal
And a control means for controlling, wherein the control means is activated.
When the operation switch is operated during mode, different sounds or voice in response to the operation time is read from the memorize means is outputted from the sound output unit, the plant
At the end of the fixed time, the sound or voice is output again while it is being output.
When the operation switch is operated, the above description in the startup mode is
The voice registered at the time of voice registration to the memory is output as the above voice.
The above operation switch is operated again while outputting from the means.
Starts voice output at the earliest when it is created
To the stop mode, and again during the stop mode.
When the operation switch is operated, the above sound or voice is read out.
Output, and returns to the startup mode after the above specified time.
You Preferably, the storage means stores a plurality of voices representing emotions from anger to pleasure, and the control means controls the operation.
Short operation time of the work switch (pressure is high), the more close to the most strongly expressed anger voice the anger voice, operation time of the operation scan <br/> switch is long (pressure is small) enough to comfortably likely Select and read out a voice that is closest to the pleasure voice that most strongly expresses the voice.

Preferably, the control means is the start mode.
Is input from the voice input means within the above predetermined time.
When the input voice is registered in the storage means,
Reset the time means and restart from that point for a predetermined time
Start timing. Suitably, the control means is the activation
Within the predetermined time that the mode lasts, the audio output means
While no sound is being output from the
When the switch is operated, reset the above-mentioned timing means,
From that time point, the counting of a predetermined time is started again. Suitable
In addition, the control means controls the operation switch during the stop mode.
In response to the button being pressed, the audio output means
While voice or voice is being output, repeat the above operation
When the switch is operated, it is necessary to shift to the above startup mode.
Abort. Suitably, it turns on when another voice generating toy is brought close to it.
Switch to a mode that automatically outputs sound or voice
Further has a reed switch for, the control means,
During the above-mentioned automatic sound or voice output mode, the above
The sound or voice read from the storage means is the voice output means.
While the output from the
When operated, forcibly shift to the above stop mode
It

[0007] Preferably, the control means is for the predetermined time.
When transitioning to stop mode after an error, a snoring sound
Voice is read from the storage means and output from the voice output means.
After the output, it shifts to the stop mode.

According to the present invention, the output is made from the timing means.
To control the start and stop based on the clock signal, the start-up mode extension of the operation of the operation switch while the sound is not output. In contrast, when the operation switch during a voice output including post audio registration is operated, the procedure moves to forcibly stop mode. Meanwhile, in the stop mode
Misao during a voice output corresponding to the operation switch is pressed
When the work switch is operated, to stop the transition to the start-up mode. Also, when different voice output toys are brought close to each other , the reed switch turns on, and the voice output mode is automatically output.
When switching to the so-called communication mode
In this case, even when the operation switch is operated at the time of outputting the sound in that mode , the mode is forcibly shifted to the stop mode.

Further, depending on the time when the operation switch is operated, for example, if the operation switch is strongly pressed, a voice output game
You can get an angry feeling from the equipment , and you can feel the softness of the voice output toy by gently stroking the operation switch . In addition to controlling the reaction according to the strength of the operation of this operation switch, by controlling the various start-up and stop described above, you can silence when it is noisy , or feel relieved to fall asleep and sleep. Is obtained. Moreover, by operating the operating Sui <br/> pitch when not say anything, so as not Nemurase give stimulation
You can

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, an embodiment of a voice processing apparatus of the present invention will be described by way of an example in which the present invention is applied to an electronic pet toy.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of a toy according to an embodiment of a voice processing device of the present invention. In FIG. 1, M1
M8 shows each part of the body of the toy which imitates a simulated creature, M1 is a head button, M2 and M3 are ears, M4
Is a right hand, M5 is a left hand, M6 is a right foot, M7 is a left foot, and M8 is a main body.

The head button M1 is a button for controlling starting and sleeping according to the present invention, and has a head switch described later therein. The user can turn on a head switch, which will be described later, by depressing the head button M1. The ears M2 and M3 have therein a microphone (voice input means) described later, and the voice recognized by the toy is taken into the toy from here. The right hand M4 has a built-in magnet described later, and the left hand M4
Reference numeral 5 has a reed switch incorporated therein, which will be described later. When the magnet approaches the left hand and the reed switch becomes conductive, a communication switch described later is turned on. In addition, the right hand M4 and the left hand M5 have arrows a and b.
Can be moved up and down in the direction of, and an alarm switch, which will be described later, is turned on according to the raising and lowering operations of the right hand M4 and the left hand M5. Right foot M6 and left foot M7 are main body M8
The main body M8 is supported on the side surface of the toy so that the toy can stand upright on a horizontal plane. The main body M8 incorporates a battery for operating the toy, a substrate including a clock operating mechanism, a speaker, a control circuit, etc., which will be described later.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the toy according to the embodiment of the voice processing device of the present invention. In FIG. 2, 1 is a control circuit (registration means), 2 is a ROM (notification sound storage means), 3 is a FLASH ROM (storage means and temporary storage means), 4 is a microphone, and 5 is a pitch conversion circuit. , 6
Is a voice amplifier circuit, 7 is a speaker (voice output means),
Reference numeral 8 is a head switch, 9 is a communication switch, 10 is an alarm switch, 11 is a reset switch, and 12 is a timepiece operation mechanism.

The control circuit 1 converts the analog voice signal output from the microphone 4 into digital voice data, and converts the analog voice data into F voice data.
The audio data recorded in the ROM 2 and the FLASH ROM 3 are converted into an analog audio signal S3 and output to the pitch conversion circuit 5 while being recorded in the LASH ROM3. The control signal S4 controls the pitch of the audio signal output from the pitch conversion circuit. In addition, the clock operation mechanism 1
An alarm operation in an alarm mode, which will be described later, is started by the control signal S1 of 2 and time is measured by the pulse signal S2. Further, voice recording or voice output is performed according to each control signal from the head switch 8, the communication switch 9, the alarm switch 10, and the reset switch 11. The operation of the control circuit 1 is executed based on the program read from the ROM 2.

The ROM 2 has recorded therein each voice data to be uttered by the toy and the program of the control circuit 1 as data, and outputs the data of the address designated by the control circuit 1 to the control circuit 1. FLASH ROM3
Records various data including audio data output from the control circuit 1 at a predetermined address designated by the control circuit, and outputs data at a predetermined address designated by the control circuit 1 to the control circuit 1. The microphone 4 outputs an audio signal to the control circuit 1. The pitch conversion circuit 5 outputs a signal obtained by converting the pitch of the audio signal S3 output from the control circuit 1 based on the control signal S3 to the audio amplification circuit 6. The voice amplification circuit 6 amplifies the signal output from the pitch conversion circuit 5 and outputs the amplified signal to the speaker 7. The speaker 7 converts the audio signal output by the audio amplifier circuit 6 into audio and outputs the audio. The head switch 8, the communication switch 9, and the alarm switch 10 all output a signal for controlling an operation mode of a toy, which will be described later, to the control circuit 1. Reset switch 11
Resets all the voices stored in the toy and the values of each parameter for controlling the operation of the toy, and sets the operation mode of the toy to the initial state. The timepiece operation mechanism outputs a signal S1 for controlling the start and stop of the alarm operation to the control circuit 1, and also outputs a pulse signal S2 having a constant cycle to the control circuit 1 as a pulse signal for time measurement.

Next, the operation of the toy having the above structure will be described.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operation mode relating to an operation of the toy according to the embodiment of the present invention when first activated. Figure 3
In the figure, M0 indicates the initial start-up mode, and M indicates the normal mode. Further, I0 to I2 respectively indicate mode transitions in each mode.

The initial start-up mode M0 is an operation mode in which the battery is inserted for the first time or the reset switch 11 is turned on. In this first boot mode,
An operation of registering the name of the toy itself (hereinafter referred to as pet name) and the name of the user of the toy (hereinafter referred to as owner name) to the toy is executed. The normal mode M is a mode in which the normal operation of the toy described later is performed.

When the battery is inserted into the toy for the first time, the operating state of the toy becomes the initial starting mode M0. At the beginning of this mode, all parameters described later are in the initial state, and all registered words described later are also erased.
In this mode, the above-described processing of registering the pet name and the owner's name in the toy is performed, and when this registration is completed, the operation mode is changed to the normal mode M by the transition I2. When the mode shifts to the normal mode M, the operation in the normal mode described later is executed. In the normal mode M, the state of the reset switch 11 is constantly monitored, and when the reset switch 11 is turned on, the operation mode immediately shifts to the initial activation mode M0 by the transition I1.
At this time, all parameters and registered words described later are lost. The transition I0 represents a mode transition due to a temporary stop of power supply to the internal circuit due to replacement of a battery or the like. Even if the power supply is stopped in the normal mode M due to the replacement of the battery or the like, the operation mode remains the normal mode M when the power supply is restarted. That is, parameters and registered words described below are FLASH.
It is stored in the ROM 3. Even in the initial activation mode M0, the mode transition due to the transition I0 does not occur.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing details of the operation mode in the normal mode M. In FIG. 4, M11 indicates the wake-up mode, M12 indicates the sleeping mode, M13 indicates the alarm mode, and M14 indicates the communication mode.

The wake-up mode M11 includes voice recognition processing for conversation and learning of words, random speech processing for randomly speaking the stored words, automatic voice registration processing for automatically storing the sound input to the microphone 4. This mode is for performing the processing described later.

The sleep mode M12 is a mode in which all operation processes such as conversation in the wake-up mode M11 are stopped.

The alarm mode M13 is a voice alarm that notifies the user that the set time has come by uttering a registered word or the like as an alarm when the user reaches a predetermined time set in advance. This is the mode in which the operation is performed. After the toy emits an alarm sound, the user speaks the words stored in the toy into the microphone 4 of the toy to recognize the words.
The time signal alarm can be temporarily stopped without touching the toy.

The communication mode M14 is a mode in which the words stored in the toys are uttered by each other and the uttered sounds are stored while the toys are brought close to each other. Such an operation gives the user the impression that the toys communicate with each other autonomously. FIG. 5 is an overhead view showing the arrangement of the toys in the communication mode M14. A reed switch 91 and a magnet 92 are built in the tips of the left hand M5 and the right hand M4 of the toy, respectively. When the reed switch 91 of one toy comes close to the magnet 92 of the other toy and the reed switch 91 becomes conductive and the communication switch 9 is turned on, the operation mode shifts to the communication mode M14.

Next, the transition between each mode in the above-mentioned normal mode M will be described.

When the above-described operation in the initial start-up mode M0 is completed, the operation mode is transition I2 and the wake-up mode M11 is set.
Move to. Timing starts with the transition to the wake-up mode M0, the elapsed time in which the operation mode is in the wake-up mode is measured, and when the elapsed time exceeds, for example, 10 minutes, the operation mode transitions to the sleep mode M12 at transition I3.

In the sleeping mode M12, when the head button M1 of the toy is pressed and the head switch 8 incorporated in the head button M1 is turned on, the operation mode shifts to the wakeup mode M11 at transition I4. When the head switch 8 is turned on in the wake-up mode M11, the operation mode does not change as long as the toy is not making any speech. In this case, the elapsed time of the wake-up mode M11 described above is reset, and the wake-up mode M11 to the sleep mode M1 are reset.
The time until shifting to 2 is extended by 10 minutes. on the other hand,
In the wake-up mode M11, when the head switch 8 is turned on while the toy is making a voice, the operation mode is forcibly shifted to the sleeping mode M12.

When the left hand M5 is rotated in the direction of arrow a in FIG. 1 and the alarm switch 10 is turned on, the wake-up mode M is set.
11, transition from sleep mode M12 and communication mode M14 to alarm mode M13 at transition I5. The alarm mode M13 is a mode that has the highest priority among the other three modes in the normal mode M. When the right hand M4 or the left hand M5 is rotated in the direction opposite to the arrow a and the alarm switch 10 is turned off, the operation mode shifts to the sleep mode M12 at transition I6.

When the reed switch 91 is turned on and the communication switch 9 is turned on, the wake-up mode M11 and the sleep mode M12 shift to the communication mode M14 at transition I7. When the alarm switch 10 and the communication switch 9 are turned on at the same time, the alarm mode M13 by the alarm switch 10 is set.
Does not shift to the communication mode M14.

Independently of the operation modes related to the initial startup mode M0 and the normal mode M described above, there are three operation modes related to the reliability parameter described later. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an operation mode related to the reliability parameter. In FIG. 6, M21 is a health mode, M22 is an illness mode,
M23 indicates the asphyxia mode, respectively.

After the battery is inserted for the first time and the reset switch 11 is turned on, the mode relating to the reliability parameter is the health mode M21. When the value of the confidence parameter fluctuates due to the conditions described later and exceeds the threshold value that defines the boundary between the health mode M21 and the illness mode M22, the transition I
At 9, the health mode M21 shifts to the illness mode M22. In the sickness mode M22, the toys become sick to the user as a result of some of the motions that were processed in the health mode M21 not being performed, or the toy uttering as if the toy is sick. Give the impression of being present. If the user of the toy restores the trust parameter to within a predetermined threshold value by continuing the action of causing the toy to recognize a word or the like, at transition I11, the illness mode M22 is set.
From the health mode M21. On the contrary, when the confidence parameter fluctuates and exceeds the threshold value that defines the boundary between the illness mode M22 and the asphyxia mode M23, the illness mode M22 shifts to the asphyxia mode M23 at transition I10. In the asphyxia mode M23, most of the processing performed in the health mode M22 is not performed, all the stored words are erased, and the parameters described later are not updated. Turn on the reset switch 11
Then, the mode related to the trust parameter is the disease mode M.
22 and the asphyxia mode M23, transition to the health mode M21 at transition I1.

Next, a specific operation in each of the above operation modes will be described.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are flow charts for explaining the processing in the initial activation mode M0. In FIGS. 7 and 8, Pa1 to Pa54, Pb and Pc indicate steps. Moreover, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show the connection relationship of the steps.

In the processing in the initial activation mode M0, the voice data input from the microphone 4 is first registered as a pet name. In that case, to prevent the wrong voice from being registered, let the user input the same voice twice to confirm the voice to be registered, and if the characteristics of the voice data of the two times match, this is a pet. It is registered as a name. After the pet name is registered, the owner name is also registered. This registration procedure is similar to the registration of the pet name, and the user is made to input the same voice twice, and when the characteristics of the voice data of the two times match, this is registered as the owner name.

In step Pa1, the initial starting mode M
The process of 0 is started. In step Pa2, a process in which the toy makes a sound at the beginning of the initial startup mode is executed. In this step, voice data is not recorded yet, so voice is generated from the voice data previously recorded in the ROM 2. Specifically, ROM2
The digitized data of the voice recorded in, for example, the voice such as "hi-hahaha" is output from the predetermined address of the ROM 2 to the control circuit 1 in response to the request of the control circuit 1. The audio data output to the control circuit 1 is D / A converted and converted into an analog audio signal, which is output to the pitch conversion circuit 5 as a signal S3. The sound signal output to the pitch converting circuit 5 has its pitch converted according to the signal S4 output from the control circuit 1, is amplified by the sound amplifying circuit 6, and is converted into a sound wave by the speaker 7. The predetermined sound is emitted from the toy in step Pa2, so that the user can recognize that the toy is in the operating state.

In step Pa3, the waiting time parameter described next is reset, and in step Pa4, the timepiece mechanism 12 sends a predetermined time interval, for example, 2
An interrupt process for incrementing the waiting time parameter is started according to the pulse signal S2 input every second. Since the value of the waiting time parameter is reset in step Pa3, the elapsed time from step Pa4 can be measured by referring to this value.

In step Pa5, the value of the integer k used in step Pa10 described later is reset to 0.

In step Pa6, the control circuit 1 determines whether or not there is a voice input from the microphone 4.
Specifically, when the level of the audio signal input from the microphone 4 is lower than a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that the audio signal is not input, and when the level is higher than the predetermined threshold value, the audio signal is input. Is judged. When the control circuit 1 determines that the audio signal is not input, the process proceeds to step Pa7. In step Pa7,
When the elapsed time from step Pa4 indicated by the value of the waiting time parameter described above is compared with a predetermined time, for example, 10 seconds, and the elapsed time is shorter than 10 seconds,
The process is returned to step Pa6 again, and the presence or absence of the sound input from the microphone 4 is detected. When the voice is detected in step Pa6 within 10 seconds, the interrupt process for incrementing the waiting time parameter is stopped and the process proceeds from step Pa6 to step Pa8. If no voice is detected in step Pa6 within 10 seconds, the interrupt process for similarly incrementing the waiting time parameter is stopped, and then the process proceeds from step Pa7 to step Pa25 described later.

In step Pa8, the analog voice signal detected in step Pa7 is converted into digital voice data by A / D conversion in the control circuit 1. At this time, for example, when the volume of the voice is larger than the upper limit threshold defined in the control circuit 1 or smaller than the lower limit threshold, and further, the voice length is the upper limit. If it is longer than the threshold value, step P
The processing is shifted to a9, and a voice notifying that the level of the input voice is inappropriate is emitted. Specifically, for example, the sound data of "Buu" is read from the ROM 2 and D / A converted, and is output as sound from the speaker 7 via the pitch conversion circuit 5 and the sound amplification circuit 6.

Next, in step Pa10, the value of the integer k described above is incremented by 1, and step P
At a11, the magnitude relationship between this integer k and a predetermined integer is determined. If the integer k is equal to or smaller than a predetermined integer, for example, 1 or smaller than 1, the process returns to step Pa6 to wait for the input of voice again, and if the integer k is larger than 1, the process proceeds to step Pa25 described later. Processing is transferred.
In this way, when the level of the voice converted in step Pa8 is inappropriate, the opportunity to re-input the voice a predetermined number of times is provided, so that the same when the user inputs an incorrect voice. It reduces the inconvenience of repeating the procedure.

In step Pa12, the voice data acquired in step Pa8 is substituted into the variable Vd. This audio data is referred to in the subsequent processing.

In step Pa13, a voice notifying the user that the voice data has been recognized, for example, "un?"
Is read out from the ROM 2 and is D / A converted, and is emitted as sound from the speaker 7 via the pitch converting circuit 5 and the audio amplifying circuit 6. In this way, different voices (“bu-” and “un?” In the above example) are output depending on the result of the input voice being recognized by the toy, so that the user may interact with the toy. Voices can be registered in the toy by feeling.

In step Pa14, the waiting time parameter described above is reset again, and in step Pa15.
At, the interrupt process for incrementing the waiting time parameter is started in accordance with the pulse signal S2 input from the clock operation mechanism 12 at predetermined time intervals. In step Pa16, the value of the integer k used in step Pa21 is reset to 0.

In step Pa17, the presence / absence of voice input from the microphone 4 is determined again by the control circuit 1. If it is determined that no voice signal is input, the process proceeds to step Pa18. Step Pa18
Then, the elapsed time from step Pa15 indicated by the value of the waiting time parameter described above is compared with a predetermined time, for example, 10 seconds, and if the elapsed time is shorter than 10 seconds, the process is returned to step Pa17 again. The presence or absence of voice input from the microphone 4 is detected. When a voice is detected in step Pa17 within 10 seconds, the interrupt process for incrementing the waiting time parameter is stopped and the process proceeds from step Pa17 to step Pa19. If no voice is detected in step Pa17 within 10 seconds, the interrupt process for similarly incrementing the waiting time parameter is stopped, and then the process proceeds from step Pa18 to step Pa25 described later.

In step Pa19, step Pa17
The analog voice signal detected by
D-converted and converted into digitized audio data. If it is determined that the voice input under the same conditions as in step Pa8 described above is inappropriate, step Pa20
The processing shifts to, the voice notifying that the level of the input voice is not appropriate, for example, voice data "Bu" is read from the ROM 2 and D / A converted, and the pitch conversion circuit 5, voice The sound is emitted from the speaker 7 via the amplifier circuit 6. Next, in step Pa21, the value of the integer k described above is incremented by 1,
In step Pa22, the magnitude relationship between this integer k and a predetermined integer is determined. When the integer k is equal to or smaller than a predetermined integer, for example, 1 or smaller than 1, a process of returning to step Pa17 and waiting for the input of voice is executed again, and the integer k is 1.
If it is larger, the process proceeds to step Pa25 described later. Similar to steps Pa9 to Pa11,
Since the opportunity to re-input the voice a predetermined number of times when the voice level is inappropriate is provided, the inconvenience of the user is reduced.

In step Pa23, step Pa12
And the voice data substituted in the variable Vd in step Pa19.
The control circuit 1 compares the characteristics of the audio data acquired in (1). The characteristics of the voice data are extracted using, for example, the amplitude of the frequency spectrum obtained by Fourier transforming the voice data, and are compared by a predetermined comparison procedure. Variable V
If it is determined that the characteristics of the voice data of d and the voice data acquired in step Pa19 match, the process proceeds to step Pa24, and the voice data acquired in step Pa19 is FLASH ROM as the pet name.
3 is written at a predetermined address. On the contrary, if it is determined that the features of the audio data do not match each other, the process proceeds to step Pa20 described above, and step Pa17
The user is given the opportunity to input the voice again.

When the pet name is registered in step Pa24, the process proceeds to step Pa28, and a voice notifying the user that the pet name has been registered, for example, a voice registered as the pet name is issued. As a result, the user can know that the registration of the pet name has been successful, and can confirm the registered voice.

In this case, the voice data written in the FLASH ROM 3 is the voice data of the user himself, but the voice signal output from the pitch converting circuit 5 is the control circuit 1.
Since the pitch can be controlled by the signal S4 according to, the voice can be output from the speaker 7 by converting it into an adorable voice such as a parakeet. As a result, the user's own voice can be avoided and the impression that the toy is emitting its own voice can be given to the user. Will increase.

Steps Pa25 to Pa27 are for randomly shifting to another processing when the voice input waiting time exceeds 10 seconds or when the voice data is unsuitable due to too loud sound. It is a step. The procedure for randomly shifting is the steps Pa2 to P described above.
The pet name registration procedure by a24, a random utterance process Pb described later, and an automatic voice registration process Pc are three.

At step Pa25, an integer of 0 to 2 is randomly generated and assigned to the variable m. In step Pa26, it is determined whether the numerical value assigned to the variable m and the integer 0 match, and if they match, the process returns to step Pa2 and the process of registering the pet name again is executed from the beginning. If the variable m and the integer 0 do not match, the process proceeds to step Pa27, it is determined that the variable m and the integer 1 match, and if they match, the random statement process Pb described later is performed. If there is no match, the process is moved to an automatic voice registration process Pc described later. As described above, even in the state where the pet name is left unregistered in the initial startup mode, the processes such as the random utterance process Pb and the automatic voice registration process Pc described below are randomly executed, and thus, as described above. According to such a process, the mechanical impression that the user has on the toy can be reduced as compared to the process of urging the pet name to be registered forever when the pet name is not registered.

The random utterance process Pb and the automatic voice registration process Pc will be described.

In the random utterance processing Pb, the control circuit 1 randomly reads out the voice data prepared in advance stored in the ROM 2 of the toy and the voice data registered in the FLASH ROM 3 registered by the user. Then, the sound is emitted from the speaker 7 through the pitch converting circuit 5 and the audio amplifying circuit 6. When the operation mode is the initial start-up mode, the voice data is not yet registered in the FLASH ROM 3 by the user's registration operation, so the voice data automatically registered by the automatic voice registration process Pc described later or the ROM 2 is registered. The recorded audio data prepared in advance is exclusively output.
The type of the voice data randomly selected by the random utterance process Pb changes depending on the mood parameter and the trust parameter described later.

In the automatic voice registration process Pc, the voice input to the microphone 4 within a predetermined length is automatically converted into voice data by the control circuit 1, and FLASH R
Recorded in OM3. The number of voice data to be registered is set to a predetermined maximum number, for example, 3 or less, and when the number of voice data to be registered exceeds the predetermined number, any recording area in which the voice data is recorded in the automatic voice registration process Pc. Is overwritten and recorded. The voice data registered in the automatic voice registration process Pc is the same as the random utterance process Pb described above.
Since the voice is uttered in a conversation process or the like to be described later, the content of the voice uttered by the toy is more surprising, and the mechanical impression of the toy is reduced, and the taste as a simulated creature can be enhanced.

In the process of pet name registration processing, in addition to the above-described random utterance processing Pb and automatic voice registration processing Pc, a number of other different processings can be provided and transferred randomly. As a result, it is possible to reduce the demerit that makes the toy tired by forcing the user to perform a single process.

Next, the processing after the pet name registration is completed in the initial activation mode M0 will be described.

After the pet name is registered, the owner name is registered this time by the same steps. Specifically, steps Pa29 to Pa49 and steps Pa3 to Pa23
Then, the same processing is performed respectively.

At step Pa52, an integer of 0 to 2 is randomly generated and assigned to the variable m. In step Pa53, it is determined whether the numerical value assigned to the variable m and the integer 0 match, and if they match, the process returns to step Pa28 to utter a pet name and then register the owner name again. It is executed from the beginning. If the variable m and the integer 0 do not match, the process proceeds to step Pa54, it is determined that the variable m and the integer 1 match, and if they match, the random statement process Pb described above is performed. If there is no match, the process moves to the automatic voice registration process Pc described above. Since the processes such as the random utterance process Pb and the automatic voice registration process Pc are randomly executed through the procedure similar to steps Pa25 to Pa27 in the registration of the pet name, the mechanical impression that the user has in the toy is reduced. be able to.

In Step Pa49, Step Pa
If it is determined that the characteristics of the voice data acquired in 45 and the voice data of the variable Vd match, step Pa50
In step Pa45, the voice data acquired in step Pa45 is written in a predetermined address of the FLASHROM3 as the owner name. Then, a voice indicating that the owner name is registered, for example, the registered owner name is output. Similar to the process for registration of pet name, FLASH ROM
Even when the voice data registered as the owner name in 3 is converted into voice, the pitch is changed by the pitch conversion circuit 5, so that the toy is given to the user as if the toy is emitting its own voice. You can

When the registration of the pet name and the owner's name is completed, the operation of the initial activation mode M0 is completed, and the operation mode is changed to the wakeup mode M11 at transition I2.

Next, the operation of the wake-up mode M11 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the process in the wake-up mode M11. 4 and 9 indicate the same contents. In addition, Pd1 to Pd17 indicate steps.

In the wake-up mode M11, in addition to the random utterance process Pb and the automatic voice registration process Pc described above, a voice recognition process Pe described later is randomly selected and executed by the generated random numbers. At this time, when the mode based on the reliability parameter is the illness mode M22 described above, the random utterance process Pb and the automatic voice registration process Pc are not executed, and a voice indicating a illness is occasionally issued. When in the asphyxia mode M23, the random utterance process Pb, the automatic voice registration process Pc, and the voice recognition process Pe described later are all not executed, and a voice notifying the asphyxia mode is issued. Also, the states of the head switch 8, the communication switch 9, and the alarm switch 10 are monitored,
The processing is shifted to each operation mode according to the state of the switch. Further, the time after the process shifts to the wake-up mode M11 is measured, and when the predetermined time has elapsed, the process shifts to the sleep mode M12.

When the process is started in step Pd1 of the wake-up mode M11, the wake-up time parameter described below is reset to zero in step Pd2. In step Pd3, an interrupt process for incrementing the wake-up time parameter is started in response to the pulse signal S2 input from the clock operation mechanism 12 at a predetermined time interval, for example, every 2 seconds. Since the value of the wake-up time parameter is reset in step Pd2, the elapsed time from step Pd3 can be measured by referring to this value.

At step Pd4, it is confirmed whether the mode relating to the reliability parameter is the asphyxia mode M23. If it is in the asphyxia mode M23, in step Pd5, a sound is emitted to notify the user of the asphyxia mode. Specifically, the voice data representing the asphyxia state recorded in a predetermined address of the ROM 2 is read and D / A converted, the pitch is converted by the pitch converting circuit 5, and the speaker is passed through the audio amplifying circuit 6 and the speaker. It is output as voice from 7. Then, step Pd1 described later
The processing shifts to 1.

At step Pd4, asphyxia mode M23
If not, then it is checked in step Pd6 if the disease mode M22 is set.
If in illness mode M22, step Pd7
At, a sound is emitted to notify the user that he is in the sick mode M22. Specifically, voice data representing a sick state recorded in a predetermined address of the ROM 2 is read out and D / A converted, the pitch is converted by the pitch converting circuit 5, and the speaker is passed through the audio amplifying circuit 6 and then converted. It is output as voice from 7. After that, the process proceeds to a voice recognition process Pe described below.

In steps Pd4 and Pd6, the mode relating to the reliability parameter is not the asphyxia mode M23 and the illness mode M22, that is, the health mode M2.
After it is confirmed that the value is 1, step Pd8-
In Pd10, the voice recognition process Pe, the random utterance process Pb, and the automatic voice registration process Pc are randomly selected and executed. Specifically, it is 0 in step Pd8.
An integer of ~ 2 is randomly generated and assigned to the variable m. Next, in step Pd9, it is determined that the integer 0 and the variable m match, and if they match, the speech recognition process P to be described later.
If the process is transferred to e and they do not match, step Pd1
The processing shifts to 0. In step Pd10, it is determined that the integer 1 and the variable m match. If they match, the process moves to the random utterance process Pb described above, and if they do not match, the process moves to the automatic voice registration process Pc described above. Therefore, any one of the voice recognition process Pe, the random utterance process Pb, and the automatic voice registration process Pc is selected and executed.

Speech recognition processing Pe, random speech processing Pb
When the automatic voice registration process Pc is completed, the process proceeds to step Pd11. In step Pd11, the state of the alarm switch 10 is confirmed, and when the alarm switch 10 is ON, the process shifts to the alarm mode M13 by the transition I5 described above. If it is confirmed that the alarm switch 10 is off, the process proceeds to step Pd12.

At step Pd12, the state of the communication switch 9 is confirmed. If the communication switch 9 is ON, step Pd1
3, the state of the mode related to the trust parameter is confirmed, and when the mode is not the asphyxia mode, the above-mentioned transition I
7, the process is transferred to the communication mode M14. When the mode relating to the reliability parameter is the asphyxia mode, the process does not shift to the communication mode M14, but the process shifts to the next step Pd14. Also, if it is confirmed in step Pd12 that the communication switch 9 is not turned on, the process proceeds to step Pd14.

At step Pd14, it is confirmed whether or not the sleep mode is selected. When the sleep mode is selected, the process shifts to the sleep mode M12 by the transition I3 described above, and when not selected, the process shifts to step Pd15 described later.

To determine whether or not the sleep mode has been selected,
This is done by checking the state of the sleep mode selection flag. When the head switch 8 is turned on, an interrupt process occurs, and the sleep mode selection flag is set in the process. Specifically, when the head switch 8 is turned on while the voice signal is being output from the control circuit 1 in the random utterance process Pb, the voice recognition process Pe, and the communication mode M14 and the above interrupt process occurs, this interrupt is generated. In the processing, the sleep mode selection flag is set. Then, in step Pd14, the state of the sleep mode selection flag is determined, and when it is confirmed that the sleep mode selection flag is set, the process proceeds to the sleep mode M12 at transition I3 and the sleep mode selection flag is set. If it is confirmed that the process has not been performed, the process proceeds to step Pd15. That is,
In the random utterance process Pb, the voice recognition process Pe, and the communication mode M14, if the head of the toy is hit and the head switch 8 is turned on while the toy is emitting a voice, the operation mode of the toy is shifted to the sleep mode. It When the state of the sleep mode selection flag is confirmed in step Pd14 and the process proceeds to the next process, the sleep mode selection flag is reset. Through the above processing, the user can stop the vocalization of the toy by hitting the head of the toy when the voice generated by the toy becomes unpleasant to the ear.

At step Pd15, it is confirmed whether or not the extension of the wake-up time is selected. When the extension of the wake-up time is selected, the process proceeds to step Pd16, and after the wake-up time parameter is reset, the process proceeds to step Pd17. If the extension of the wake-up time is not selected, the process directly proceeds to step Pd17. Step Pd17 described later
When the time measured by the wake-up time parameter exceeds a predetermined time, the wake-up mode M11 to the sleep mode M1
Although the processing is shifted to 2, the measured time is reset to zero when the wake-up time parameter is reset in step Pd16, and therefore the time until the processing is shifted from the wake-up mode M11 to the sleep mode M12 is performed. Is extended.

Whether or not the wake-up time extension is selected is determined by checking the state of the wake-up time extension flag. When the head switch 8 is turned on, an interrupt process occurs as in the case of the sleep mode selection flag,
In the processing, the wakeup time extension flag is set.
Specifically, in the wake-up mode M11 during the period other than the above-described conditions for setting the sleep mode selection flag (when the voice signal is output from the control circuit 1 in the random utterance process Pb and the voice recognition process Pe), the head When the switch 8 is turned on and the above interrupt processing occurs,
In this interrupt processing, the wakeup time extension flag is set. Then, in step Pd15, if the state of the sleep mode selection flag is determined and it is confirmed that the wake-up time extension flag is set, step Pd
If the wake-up time parameter is reset in 16 and it is confirmed that the wake-up time extension flag is not set, the process proceeds to step Pd17. That is, when the head switch 8 is turned on by hitting the head of the toy in the wake-up mode M11 during the period other than when the toy is making a voice in the random utterance process Pb, the voice recognition process Pe, and the communication mode M14,
The time until the operation mode shifts to the sleep mode M12 can be extended. When the state of the wake-up time extension flag is confirmed in step Pd15 and the process proceeds to the next process, the wake-up time extension flag is reset. Through the above processing, the user can wake up as much as M11.
Can be extended to enjoy the action of toys.

It is possible to provide a process for causing the toy to speak predetermined voice data when the head switch 8 is turned on. This allows the user to enjoy the reaction of the toy that occurs when the user touches the head of the toy. At this time, different voices can be generated depending on the time when the head switch is turned on. For example, the head switch is turned on by providing the control circuit 1 with a pulse having an appropriate period and causing the control circuit 1 to count the number of these pulses during the period from when the head switch is turned on to when the head switch is turned off. The time during which the toy is uttered can be measured, and the voice to be uttered by the toy can be changed according to the number of pulses counted by such a method.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart for explaining the utterance processing according to the switching time. In FIG. 15, Pi1 to Pi8 indicate steps.

The vocalization process corresponding to the switching time is started from step Pi1 when it is detected that the head switch 8 is turned on. First, in step Pi2, the time T _SW from when the head switch 8 is turned on to when the head switch 8 is turned off is measured by, for example, the above-described method of counting the number of pulses. Next, at step Pi3, for example, the control circuit 1 determines whether or not the switching time T _SW is within a predetermined time range. Specifically, the switching time T _SW is a lower limit value T1 (for example, 0.03 seconds) or more and a predetermined value T2 (for example, 0.4 seconds).
If it is within the range below, the process proceeds to step Pi4, and if it is out of the range, the process proceeds to step Pi5.

When the processing shifts to step Pi4, for example, the angry voice 1 "bu ~" or the angry voice 2 "Burlururururu" is uttered once or a plurality of times. Specifically, RO
Voices recorded in M2, for example, voice data such as "Buu" or "Bururururururu" are read from the ROM 2 and D / A converted, and the pitch is converted by the pitch conversion circuit 5 and then amplified by the audio amplification circuit 6. Then, it is output as sound from the speaker 7. On the other hand, the process is step Pi5.
If the switching time T _SW is equal to or more than the predetermined value T2, it is determined whether or not the switching time T _SW is equal to or more than the predetermined value T2. A voice such as "..." is uttered through a procedure similar to that of the anger sound described above.

After the anger voice or the pleasure voice is output in this way, the selection mode is determined in step Pi7. For example, when the head switch 8 is pressed to start this processing during the wake-up mode or the communication mode, as shown in FIG. 15, step Pi7
It is determined whether or not the sleeping mode is selected in step S1 and the sleeping mode M1 is selected when the sleeping mode is selected.
When the sleeping mode is not selected, the wake-up mode M11 or the communication mode M14 is maintained. On the contrary, when the head switch 8 is pressed during the sleep mode to start this processing,
At Step Pi7, it is determined whether or not the wake-up mode is selected, and if the wake-up mode is selected, the wake-up mode M11 is forcibly transitioned to. If the wake-up mode is not selected, the sleep mode is selected. Mode M11 is maintained. Although not described redundantly here, the determination of the sleep mode or the wake-up mode has different results depending on whether the voice is being output as described above.

On the other hand, the switching time T _SW is the lower limit value T1.
If shorter, steps Pi3 and Pi5
Since the range does not fall within the range of, the process proceeds to Step Pi8, and it is considered that the head switch 8 has not been pressed effectively, and the original process at the start of the process is continued.

In this way, for example, when the ON time of the head switch is between 0.03 seconds and less than 0.4 seconds, it is considered that the head has been hit, and the toy is uttered a voice expressing anger. , If the head switch is turned on for more than 0.4 seconds, it is considered that the head has been stroked, and the process of causing the toy to produce a voice expressing pleasure is interrupted or branched when the head switch 8 is turned on. It is executed in processing. It should be noted that the head switch may have a built-in sensor for detecting pressure so that the sound can be changed according to the magnitude of the pressure. Furthermore, it is possible to express the pleasant or unpleasant mood by voice by changing the type of voice data according to the mood parameter described later. By the above processing,
The toy can emit various sounds and respond to the user's operation, so the mechanical impression of the toy fades,
It is possible to enhance the taste of the artificial creature.

Next, the operation of the above-mentioned voice recognition processing Pe will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the process in the voice recognition process Pe. In FIG. 10, Pe
1 to Pe16 and Pf, Pg, and Ph indicate steps.

First, the outline of the voice recognition processing Pe will be described. In the voice recognition process Pe, the features of the voice data input from the microphone 4 and the voice data recorded in the FLASH ROM 3 are compared, and when the voice data having the same feature is recorded in the FLASH ROM 3, the conversation process Ph is performed. Let it run. In the conversation processing Ph, the ROM 2 and the FLASH RO are applied to the voice input from the microphone 4.
The voice data recorded in M3 is converted into voice in various combinations and uttered. For this reason, the user can enjoy the unexpected voice response of the toy in response to the voice input to the microphone. On the other hand, the audio data having the same characteristics as the audio data input from the microphone 4 is FLA.
If it is not recorded in the SH ROM 3, a temporary registration process Pf and a registration extension process Pg described later are executed. As a result, the voice input from the microphone 4 is converted into voice data by the control circuit 1 and recorded in the FLASH ROM 3. The temporary registration process Pf and the registration extension process Pg include a process of randomly changing the process of recording the voice data in the FLASH ROM 3, which makes the user enjoy the action of making the toy remember the voice. I have it.

In the voice recognition processing Pe, the microphone 4
The mood parameter is incremented each time the voice input to is converted into voice data by the control circuit 1. The mood parameter is a parameter that changes the type of voice to be uttered in the above-described random utterance processing Pb or the voice to be uttered when the head switch 8 is turned on. It is also related to the trust parameter described above, and the trust parameter is incremented when the mood parameter is raised to a predetermined maximum value. That is, the mood parameter increases every time the voice is recognized by the voice recognition process Pe, and the confidence parameter also increases according to the mood parameter. On the other hand, the mood parameter and the confidence parameter are decremented every predetermined time in the interrupt process generated every predetermined time by counting the pulse signal S2 of the predetermined cycle output from the clock operation mechanism 12, so that the toy is recognized in the voice recognition process Pe. If the user neglects to recognize the voice on the toy, not only will the type of voice generated by the toy change due to a decrease in mood parameters, but the operation mode of the toy will automatically become sick after a certain period of time due to a decrease in the trust parameter. By shifting to the mode M22 or the asphyxia mode M23, a part of normal processing becomes inoperable.
As described above, since the process of causing the toy to recognize the voice and the other behavior of the toy are associated with each other, it is possible to make the user have an interest in the action of continuously giving the voice to the toy and taking care of it. There is.

The detailed operation of the voice recognition processing Pe will be described below.

The voice recognition process Pe is started from step Pe1. First, in step Pe2, the voice recognition time parameter is reset, and then in step Pe3, an interrupt for incrementing the voice recognition time parameter according to the pulse signal S2 input from the timepiece mechanism 12 at a predetermined time interval, for example, every 2 seconds. The process is started. The value of the voice recognition time parameter is set to Step Pe.
Since it is reset in step 2, the elapsed time from step Pe3 can be measured by referring to this value.

After the measurement of the voice recognition time is started, the presence / absence of voice input from the microphone 4 is judged by the control circuit 1 in step Pe4. Specifically, when the level of the audio signal input from the microphone 4 is smaller than a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that the audio signal is not input,
When it is larger than a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that the audio signal is being input. When the control circuit 1 determines that the audio signal is not input, the process proceeds to step Pe5. In step Pe5, the elapsed time from step Pe3 indicated by the value of the voice recognition time parameter described above is compared with a predetermined time, for example, 30 seconds, and when the elapsed time is shorter than 30 seconds, step Pe4.
Then, the processing is returned to and the presence or absence of voice input from the microphone 4 is detected. When a voice is detected in step Pe4 within 30 seconds, the interrupt process for incrementing the voice recognition time parameter is stopped and the process proceeds from step Pe4 to step Pe6. If no voice is detected in step Pe4 within 30 seconds, after interrupt processing for similarly incrementing the voice recognition time parameter is stopped,
The process moves from step Pe5 to step Pe16, and the voice recognition process ends.

In step Pe6, the analog voice signal detected in step Pe4 is converted into digital voice data by A / D conversion in the control circuit 1. At this time, for example, when the volume of the voice is larger than the upper limit threshold defined in the control circuit 1 or smaller than the lower limit threshold, and further, the voice length is the upper limit. If it is longer than the threshold value, step P
The processing shifts to e7, and a voice notifying that the level of the input voice is inappropriate is emitted. Specifically, for example, the sound data of "Buu" is read from the ROM 2 and D / A converted, and is output as sound from the speaker 7 via the pitch conversion circuit 5 and the sound amplification circuit 6.
Then, the process is returned to step Pe7, and the process of waiting for the input of voice is executed again. In Step Pe6,
When the audio signal from the microphone 4 is normally converted into audio data, the acquired audio data is substituted into the variable Vd.

After the voice data is assigned to the variable Vd, the mood parameter is incremented by 1, for example, in step Pe9, and the process proceeds to step Pe10. Thereafter, in step Pe10, it is confirmed whether or not the toy is in the sick mode M22. If the toy is in the sick mode M22, in step Pe11, voice data indicating that the toy is in the sick mode is read from the ROM 2 and converted into a voice signal. , Pitch conversion circuit 5, voice amplification circuit 6
After that, the sound is output from the speaker 7 as sound. And
After incrementing the number of times of voice recognition in step Pe12, the process is returned to step Pe4, and the process of waiting for voice input is executed again. As described above, when the toy is in the sick mode M22, the voice registration process described below is not executed.

If it is confirmed in step Pe10 that the toy is not in the sick mode, the process proceeds to step Pe13. In step Pe13, the audio data assigned to the variable Vd in step Pe8 and FL
The characteristics of voice data (hereinafter referred to as a registered word) already registered in the ASH ROM 3 are compared. And
When a registered word for which the characteristics of the voice data are judged to match each other by a predetermined judgment method is found, the number indicating the storage location of the registered word is substituted into the variable J as the registered word number (step Pe14). . Next, it is determined whether or not the acquired registered word is a temporary registered word to be described later (step Pe15). If the acquired registered word is not a temporary registered word, the above-described conversation process Ph is executed, and then the process returns to step Pe2 again. Processing for waiting for voice input is executed.

In the search in step Pe13,
If the voice data whose characteristics match the voice data assigned to the variable Vd is not found in the FLASH ROM 3, the user is prompted to input the input word again,
Temporary registration process P for storing in a toy as a registration word
f and the registration extension process Pg are executed. Details of these processes will be described later. When the registration extension process Pg is completed, the process is returned to step Pe2 and the process of waiting for the input of voice is executed again, similarly to the conversation process Ph.
When it is confirmed in step Pe15 that the registered word searched in step Pe14 is a temporarily registered registration word, the registration extension process Pg is executed instead of the conversation process Ph.

Next, the operation of the above-mentioned temporary registration process Pf will be described. 11 and 12 are flowcharts illustrating the process in the temporary registration process Pf. 11 and 12, Pf1 to Pf33 indicate steps. In addition, FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 show the connection relationship of steps.

In the temporary registration process Pf, the voice input from the microphone 4 is used as a registration word in FLASH RO.
The process of recording in M3 is performed. At that time, in order to confirm whether or not the user has the intention to store the voice input in step Pf5 as a registered word in the toy, a process of inputting the same voice a plurality of times is performed. When it is determined that the characteristics of the voice data input in step 3 are matched, the voice data is recorded in the FLASH ROM 3 as a registered word. By performing the above process, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience that a voice that is not intended to be registered is registered in the toy, for example, when a wrong voice is input to the toy. Therefore, a new voice is registered. In this case, a troublesome operation such as pressing a button becomes unnecessary.

At step Pf1, the temporary registration process Pf
The process 1 is started. In step Pf2, a process in which the toy makes a sound is executed at the beginning of the temporary registration process Pf1. Specifically, the voice data recorded in the ROM 2, for example, voice data such as "un?" Then, it is output as sound from the speaker 7. As described above, the predetermined sound is emitted from the toy in step Pf2, so that the user can confirm that the input sound is not registered in the toy.

In step Pf3, the waiting time parameter is reset, and in step Pa4, an interrupt for incrementing the waiting time parameter according to the pulse signal S2 input from the timepiece operating mechanism 12 at a predetermined time interval, for example, every 2 seconds. The process is started. Since the value of the waiting time parameter is reset in step Pf3, the elapsed time from step Pf4 can be measured by referring to this value.

In step Pf5, the control circuit 1 determines whether or not there is a voice input from the microphone 4.
Specifically, when the level of the audio signal input from the microphone 4 is lower than a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that the audio signal is not input, and when the level is higher than the predetermined threshold value, the audio signal is input. Is judged. If the control circuit 1 determines that the audio signal is not input, the process proceeds to step Pf6. At step Pf6,
When the elapsed time from step Pf4 indicated by the value of the waiting time parameter described above is compared with a predetermined time, for example, 10 seconds, and the elapsed time is shorter than 10 seconds,
The process is returned to step Pf5 again to detect the presence / absence of the voice input from the microphone 4. When the voice is detected in step Pf5 within 10 seconds, the interrupt process for incrementing the waiting time parameter is stopped and the process proceeds from step Pf5 to step Pf7. If no voice is detected in step Pf5 within 10 seconds, the interrupt process for similarly incrementing the waiting time parameter is stopped, and then the process from step Pf6 to the first step of the voice recognition process Pe described above is performed. Will be migrated.

In step Pf7, the analog audio signal detected in step Pf5 is converted into digital audio data by A / D conversion in the control circuit 1. At this time, for example, when the volume of the voice is larger than the upper limit threshold defined in the control circuit 1 or smaller than the lower limit threshold, and further, the voice length is the upper limit. If it is longer than the threshold value, step P
The processing shifts to f8, and a voice is issued to inform that the level of the input voice is inappropriate. Specifically, for example, the sound data of "Buu" is read from the ROM 2 and D / A converted, and is output as sound from the speaker 7 via the pitch conversion circuit 5 and the sound amplification circuit 6.
After that, the process is returned to the first step of the voice recognition process Pe described above. When the voice data is normally acquired in step Pf7, the voice notifying the user that the voice data has been recognized, for example, voice data such as “un?” Is read from the ROM 2 in the next step Pf9. D / A conversion is performed, and the sound is emitted from the speaker 7 via the pitch conversion circuit 5 and the sound amplification circuit 6.

At step Pf10, the waiting time parameter described above is reset again, and at step Pf11.
At, the interrupt process for incrementing the waiting time parameter is started in accordance with the pulse signal S2 input from the clock operation mechanism 12 at predetermined time intervals. In step Pf12, step Pf17 described later is executed.
The value of the integer k used in is reset to zero.

In step Pf13, the presence / absence of voice input from the microphone 4 is again determined by the control circuit 1, and if it is determined that no voice signal is input, the process proceeds to step Pf14. Step Pf14
Then, the elapsed time from step Pf11 indicated by the value of the waiting time parameter described above is compared with a predetermined time, for example, 10 seconds. If the elapsed time is shorter than 10 seconds, the process is returned to step Pf13 again. The presence or absence of voice input from the microphone 4 is detected. When the voice is detected in step Pf13 within 10 seconds, the interrupt process for incrementing the waiting time parameter is stopped and the process proceeds from step Pf13 to step Pf15. If no voice is detected in step Pf13 within 10 seconds, the interrupt process for incrementing the waiting time parameter is similarly stopped, and the process is returned to the first step of the voice recognition process Pe.

In step Pf15, step Pf13
The analog voice signal detected by
D-converted and converted into digitized audio data. If it is determined that the input voice is not appropriate under the same conditions as in step Pf7 described above, step Pf16
The processing shifts to, and a voice notifying that the level of the input voice is not appropriate, for example, voice data such as "b" is read from the ROM 2 and D / A converted,
The sound is emitted from the speaker 7 through the pitch converting circuit 5 and the audio amplifying circuit 6. Next, in step Pf17, the value of the integer k described above is incremented by 1, and in step Pf18, the magnitude relationship between the integer k and the integer 1 is determined. If the integer k is equal to or smaller than a predetermined integer, for example, 1 or less than 1, the process returns to step Pf13 to wait for the input of voice again, and the integer k is 1.
If it is larger, the process is returned to the first step of the voice recognition process Pe. In this way, when the voice level is inappropriate, the opportunity to re-input the voice a predetermined number of times (once in the above example) is provided, so if an incorrect voice is input, It is not necessary to return to the first step of the voice recognition process Pe and input again from the beginning, and the inconvenience of repeating the same operation is reduced.

When the voice data is normally acquired in step Pf15, the voice data acquired in step Pf19 is substituted into the variable Vd. Variable Vd
Is used to confirm a match with voice data input in the process described later.

Then, in step Pf20, a voice notifying that the voice data has been recognized, for example, voice data such as "Woonmo" is read from the ROM 2 and D / A converted, and the pitch conversion circuit 5 and the voice amplification circuit 6 are executed. After that, the sound is emitted from the speaker 7 as sound. Since the voice emitted by the toy changes in response to voice recognition (in the above example, the voice changes from "Un?" To "Woonmo"), the user is aware that the toy is recognizing voice and that the voice is being registered. You can know the stage of.

In step Pf21, the waiting time parameter described above is reset again, and in step Pf22
At, the interrupt process for incrementing the waiting time parameter is started in accordance with the pulse signal S2 input from the clock operation mechanism 12 at predetermined time intervals. In step Pf23, step Pf28 described later is performed.
The value of the integer k used in is reset to zero.

In step Pf24, the presence / absence of voice input from the microphone 4 is again determined by the control circuit 1, and if it is determined that no voice signal is input, the process proceeds to step Pf25. Step Pf
In 25, the elapsed time from step Pf22 indicated by the value of the waiting time parameter and the predetermined time,
For example, when compared with 10 seconds and the elapsed time is shorter than 10 seconds, the process is returned to step Pf24,
Presence or absence of voice input from the microphone 4 is detected. 10
When the voice is detected in step Pf24 within the second, the interrupt process for incrementing the waiting time parameter is stopped and the process proceeds from step Pf24 to step Pf26. If no voice is detected in step Pf24 within 10 seconds, the interrupt process for similarly incrementing the waiting time parameter is stopped, and then the process is returned to the first step of the voice recognition process Pe.

In Step Pf26, Step Pf24
The analog voice signal detected by
D-converted and converted into digitized audio data. If it is determined that the voice input under the same conditions as in step Pf7 described above is inappropriate, step Pf27
The processing shifts to, and a voice notifying that the level of the input voice is not appropriate, for example, voice data such as "b" is read from the ROM 2 and D / A converted,
The sound is emitted from the speaker 7 through the pitch converting circuit 5 and the audio amplifying circuit 6. Next, in step Pf28, the value of the integer k described above is incremented by 1, and in step Pf29, the magnitude relationship between the integer k and the integer 1 is determined. If the integer k is equal to or smaller than a predetermined integer, for example, 1 or less than 1, the process returns to step Pf24 to wait for the input of voice again, and the integer k is 1.
If it is larger, the process is returned to the first step of the voice recognition process Pe. Similar to steps Pf12 to Pf18, the opportunity to re-input the voice a predetermined number of times when the voice level is inappropriate is provided, so that the inconvenience of repeating the same operation is reduced.

In step Pf30, step Pf19
In step Pf26, the voice data is assigned to the variable Vd in
The control circuit 1 compares the characteristics of the audio data acquired in (1). The characteristics of the voice data are extracted using, for example, the amplitude of the frequency spectrum obtained by Fourier transforming the voice data, and are compared by a predetermined comparison procedure. If it is determined that the features of the voice data do not match each other, the process proceeds to the above-mentioned step Pf27, a voice is issued to notify that the input voice level is inappropriate, and the process passes through step Pf27. Depending on the number of times, the re-input of the voice is permitted, or the process is returned to the first step of the voice recognition process Pe.

Voice data of variable Vd and step Pf26
If it is determined that the characteristics of the voice data acquired in step S6 match, the process of recording the voice data acquired in step Pf26 in the FLASH ROM 3 is performed.
First, in step Pf31, the FLASH ROM
The registration word number related to the location where the data is stored in 3 is acquired and the number is substituted into the variable J, and then the FLAS whose registration word number is the J number in step Pf32.
The voice data acquired in step Pf26 is stored in the storage area of the HROM3. At this time, the temporary registration flag set in the temporary registration state is also recorded together with the information of the voice data. The temporary registration flag is a flag referred to in step Pe15 of FIG. The registration word for which the temporary registration flag is set is determined to be the temporary registration word in this step, execution of the conversation process Ph is not permitted, and the registration extension process Pg is executed. Only the registered word that is officially registered by resetting the temporary registration flag in the registration extension process is allowed to execute the conversation process Ph.

Next, the operation of the registration extension process Pg will be described. 13 and 14 are flowcharts illustrating the process in the registration extension process Pg. 13 and 14, Pg1 to Pg23 indicate steps. Further, FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 show the connection relationship of steps.

As described above, when the registration word with the temporary registration flag set is recognized, the conversation process Ph
Is not executed and the registration extension process Pg is executed. In the registration extension process Pg, the process of recognizing a voice is repeated a plurality of times to extend the formal registration until the temporary registration flag is reset and the registration word is officially registered. The number of times that the process of recognizing voice is repeated is randomly determined within the range in which the above-mentioned reliability parameter is added.

The conversation process Ph is a process in which the registered word and the above-mentioned automatic voice registration process Pc are randomly combined in accordance with the voice input by the user into the microphone 4, and the voice is uttered randomly by the user. This is a process that is indispensable for enjoying the act of exchanging information. Therefore, by delaying the enjoyment of the conversation process Ph in the registration extension process Pg, it is possible to produce an effect of arousing the interest and expectation of the user for talking with the toy. Also, if the words have been registered a prescribed number of times, the toy will give the user the impression that it is mechanically recording voices, and the taste of the toy as a simulated creature will be impaired. Since it is possible to express the uncertainty when living things memorize words by providing a process to randomly extend the registration of words as described above, it is necessary to urge the user to feel as if he or she remembered the words. You can

The registration extension process Pg starts from step Pg1. First, in step Pg2, the magnitude of the above-mentioned reliability parameter is a predetermined integer value, for example, integer 4.
5, the magnitude relationship is compared, and if the confidence parameter is smaller than the integer 45, the process proceeds to step Pg3. In step Pg3, for example, an integer of 2 to 4 is randomly generated and assigned to the variable m. If the reliability parameter is larger than the integer 45, the process proceeds to step Pg4. Similar to step Pg2, in step Pg4, the magnitude relationship of the reliability parameter is compared with a predetermined integer value, for example, the integer 55, and if the reliability parameter is smaller than the integer 55, the process proceeds to step Pg5. In step Pg5, for example, an integer of 1 to 3 is randomly generated and assigned to the variable m. Also, the trust parameter is an integer 5.
If it is greater than 5, the process proceeds to step Pg6,
For example, an integer of 0 to 2 is randomly generated and assigned to the variable m. Through the above processing, an integer of 0 to 4 corresponding to the magnitude of the reliability parameter is substituted for the variable m.

After the integer is assigned to the variable m, the step P
A match between the integer m and the integer 0 is confirmed in g7. If the integer m is equal to the integer 0, the process proceeds to step Pg21, the provisional registration flag of the registration word with the registration word number J is reset, and official registration is performed. When the integer m is not equal to the integer 0, steps Pg8 to Pg18
The process of is executed. By this step, in order for the worker to complete the formal registration, the work of causing the toy to recognize the voice to be registered must be repeated a number of times corresponding to the variable m.

At step Pg8, integer variables k and i referred to in the subsequent processing are reset to zero. Next, in step Pg9, the waiting time parameter is reset, and in step Pg10, the pulse signal S input from the timepiece operation mechanism 12 at predetermined time intervals.
According to 2, the interrupt process for incrementing the waiting time parameter is started. Since the value of the waiting time parameter is reset in step Pg9, the elapsed time from step Pg10 can be measured by referring to this value.

In step Pg11, the control circuit 1 determines whether or not there is a voice input from the microphone 4. Specifically, when the level of the audio signal input from the microphone 4 is lower than a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that the audio signal is not input, and when the level is higher than the predetermined threshold value, the audio signal is input. Is judged. When the control circuit 1 determines that no audio signal is input,
The process proceeds to step Pg12. Step Pg1
In 2, the elapsed time from step Pg10 indicated by the value of the waiting time parameter described above is compared with a predetermined time, for example, 10 seconds. If the elapsed time is shorter than 10 seconds, the process is returned to step Pg11 again. Thus, the presence or absence of voice input from the microphone 4 is detected. When a voice is detected in step Pg11 within 10 seconds, the interrupt process for incrementing the waiting time parameter is stopped and the process proceeds from step Pg11 to step Pg13. If no voice is detected in step Pg11 within 10 seconds, the interrupt process for similarly incrementing the waiting time parameter is stopped, and then the process proceeds from step Pg12 to step Pg19 described later.

In step Pg13, step Pg11
The analog voice signal detected by
D-converted and converted into digitized audio data. At this time, for example, when the volume of the voice is larger than the upper limit threshold defined in the control circuit 1,
When it is smaller than the lower limit threshold value, and further, when the voice length is longer than the predetermined upper limit threshold value, the process proceeds to step Pg14 and the input voice level is inappropriate. A voice is issued to inform them. Specifically, for example, the sound data of "Buu" is read from the ROM 2 and D / A converted, and is output as sound from the speaker 7 via the pitch conversion circuit 5 and the sound amplification circuit 6. After this, the process proceeds to step Pg19 described below.

If the voice data is normally acquired in step Pg13, the voice notifying the user that the voice data has been recognized, for example, voice data "Unnya" is recorded in the ROM 2 in the next step Pg15.
Is read out from the speaker, converted into D / A, passed through the pitch converting circuit 5 and the audio amplifying circuit 6, and then emitted as sound from the speaker 7. According to the above-described example, the sound emitted by the toy is generated at various stages of registering the sound with the toy, such as "un?" Because of the change, the user can roughly understand the registration stage of the voice to the toy.

Next, in step Pg16, the integer 1 is added to the variable i described above, and in step Pg17 it is confirmed that the variables m and i match. When the variable m and the variable i do not match, the process is returned to step Pg11, and the process of again waiting for the input of the voice and converting into the voice data is executed. Therefore, the number of times to repeat the processes of steps Pg11 to Pg17 is determined by the variable m randomly determined in consideration of the confidence parameter in steps Pg2 to Pg6.

In step Pg17, variable m and variable i
If it is confirmed that the two match, step Pg
In 18, it is determined whether or not the characteristics of the voice data having the registered word number J and the voice data acquired in step Pg13 match. If they match, the process proceeds to step Pg21, the temporary registration flag of the registered word with the registered word number J is reset, and FLASH is set.
It is stored in a predetermined address of the ROM 3. This allows
The voice data of the registered word J is officially registered. If the characteristics of the voice data of the registered word number J and the voice data acquired in step Pg13 do not match, the process proceeds to step Pg19 described below.

In steps Pg19 and Pg20, an error that the waiting time for voice input exceeds a predetermined time (step Pg12) or an error that the input voice has a too high level (step Pg1)
3) or an error that the characteristics of the voice data to be registered and the temporarily registered voice data do not match (step P
g18) occurs, an integer 1 is added to the value of the variable k.
Is added. Then, in step Pg20, the variable k
And a predetermined integer, for example, the integer 3 is compared,
If the variable k is equal to or smaller than the integer 3, step Pg11
Then, the process is returned to, and the process of acquiring the audio data is repeated. If the variable k is larger than the integer 3, the process is returned to the beginning of the voice recognition process Pe. In this way, when the above error occurs, the process is not suddenly returned to the beginning of the voice recognition process Pe, but when the number of times the above error occurs is 3 or less, the process from step Pg11 is started. The process is returned to the process of acquiring voice. Therefore, for example, even if a voice is input with the wrong intonation, there is an opportunity to input the voice again, so that it is not necessary to input the voice again from the beginning, and the same operation can be repeated. Inconvenience is reduced.

At step Pg21, the temporary registration flag is reset and recorded in the FLASH ROM 3, and then at step Pg22, a voice is output to express that the voice is stored in the toy. For example, the sound data officially registered in step P21 is D / A converted, and is emitted as sound from the speaker 7 through the pitch conversion circuit 5 and the sound amplification circuit 6. As a result, the user can be notified that the toy has stored the voice.

According to the voice recognition processing Pe described above,
The voice input must be performed at least four times before the temporary registration process is completed. Of these, the voice input operation in step Pf5 causes the voice to be tentatively registered by mistake.
This is a processing procedure for reducing the probability of compressing the storage area of the ASH ROM 3, and even if this processing is omitted, the temporary registration operation is possible. The voice input in step Pf13 is a processing procedure for inputting the voice for confirming the coincidence of the voice data in step Pf30. For example, when the process of step Pf5 is omitted as described above. , If at step Pe8 the variable Vd
If the voice data substituted for is referred to in step Pf30, the voice input operation in step Pf13 can be omitted. That is, it is possible to omit the processing from steps Pf1 to Pf20 in FIGS. 11 and 12.

As a modification of the temporary registration process, for example, the processes of steps Pf3 to Pf8 are repeated after the process of step Pf9, and finally steps Pf31 and Pf31.
It is also possible to perform f32. That is, it is a process in which the user repeatedly inputs the same voice to confirm the user's intention to register the voice and to register the voice. According to this, since the matching of the voices in each voice input is not confirmed, there is a possibility that the last input voice may be registered when different voices are continuously input, but the process can be simplified. You can save memory space.

Further, from step Pf19 to step Pf
Repeat up to 30 multiple times, and finally step Pf31,
It is also possible to perform Pf32. That is, before the voice input is performed, the previous voice data is stored in the variable Vd, the next voice data is acquired, and after that, a match between the variable Vd and the acquired voice data is detected, and if they do not match, the process is initialized. It is a process of returning to the step of. Since it is possible to check the case where the voice input last time and the voice input this time are different, it is possible to confirm the intention of the user to register the voice in the toy also by this method.

Further, from step Pf19 to step Pf
In the above-described modification in which the steps up to 30 are repeated a plurality of times, the step Pf30 is performed with the acquired voice data and FLASH.
It is also possible to change to the step of searching for a match of the registered words in the ROM 3. In this case, if the data that matches the acquired voice data is stored in the FLASH ROM 3, the process proceeds to step Pf27. According to this processing, it can be known that the user has input the already registered voice, and thus the user's intention can be confirmed.

The processing in the registration extension processing is the same as the temporary registration processing in the sense that it is intended to allow the user to input the same words so that the toy remembers the words. Can also be applied to registration extension processing. Further, it is possible to perform a process in which these are arbitrarily combined.

Finally, the alarm mode M13 and the communication mode M14 will be described in more detail. 16 and 17 are flowcharts for explaining the process (alarm process) in the alarm mode. 16 and 17, Pj1 to Pj21 indicate steps. 16 and 17 and FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 show step connection relationships.

To give an overview of the alarm processing, first, when a predetermined alarm setting time is reached, for example, a time signal is given by voice for the first 10 seconds, and a voice input waiting operation is performed for the next 10 seconds. At this time, if a voice is input, the registered word is uttered at random, for example. If there is no registered word, a predetermined voice in the ROM 2 is output. The time signal and the voice input waiting operation are repeated ten times or more in a predetermined time, for example, two minutes. After this intermittent operation of the time signal, an alarm temporary stop function called a snooze function is activated, and after a predetermined time, for example, 4 minutes, an hourly sound is output again by voice, and the intermittent operation and snooze of the time signal are similarly repeated.

First, when the alarm switch 10 is turned on in step Pj1, alarm processing is started. The alarm set time is monitored in step Pj2, and when the time is reached, in step Pj3, the elapsed time from the alarm set time (hereinafter, set elapsed time) and the voice output time are respectively reset, and then both times are counted. It

In the next step Pj4, the control circuit 1 determines whether or not there is a registered word, and the registered word is FLA.
If it is not in the SH ROM 3, the processes of steps Pj5 to Pj8 are performed. First, in step Pj5, angry or laughing voice data is called from the ROM 2 and D / A converted in the control circuit 1.
The sound is output from the speaker 7 via the pitch converting circuit 5 and the sound amplifying circuit 6. As an angry voice,
Alternatively, “Burrururururu” is output, and “Hiyahaha” or “Uhufu” is output as the laughter. Then, in step Pj6, it is determined whether or not the voice output time measured starting from step Pj3 exceeds a predetermined time, for example, 10 seconds. If the voice output time is 10 seconds or less, step Pj5 is repeated until the voice output time exceeds 10 seconds, and a continuous angry or laughing voice is output. When the voice output time exceeds 10 seconds, it is determined in step Pj7 whether the set elapsed time exceeds 2 minutes.
When the set elapsed time is 2 minutes or less, in step Pj8, after a predetermined time, for example, a waiting time of 10 seconds occurs, the main voice time is reset and the process is returned before step Pj5. If the set elapsed time exceeds 2 minutes,
By returning the process before step Pj2, about 1
Nothing is done as the alarm processing until it is determined that the set time has come again after 2 hours or about 24 hours. Even if there is a registered word, when the toy is in the illness mode M22 or the asphyxia mode M23 described above, the angry voice “Burlurururu” or the laughter “Hihyahaha” in the ROM 2 is output by the same procedure as described above. To do.

When it is determined in step Pj4 that there is a registered word, the control circuit 1 selects the registered word in step Pj9. There are various modes for selecting the registered word. For example, the registered word is randomly selected based on the generated random number, the memory parameter is selected in descending order of the memory parameter, "wake up", "morning!" Any of the patterns may be used, such as selecting from specific registered words such as ``, or selecting in the order of increasing degree of association with the most recently selected registered word,
The control circuit 1 may give a change by appropriately changing the pattern. Then, in step Pj10,
The selected registered word is read from the FLASH ROM 3 and output from the speaker 7 in a predetermined procedure. It should be noted that although the process repeatedly passes through the steps Pj9 and Pj10 as will be described later, in this case, the process may pass through the word selection in the step Pj9 many times depending on how to set the relevance parameter. By doing so, meaningful sentences, songs, etc. can be reproduced.

In the next step Pj11, it is determined whether or not the head switch 8 has been pressed. If it is determined that the head switch 8 has been pressed, the process skips before step Pj19 described later. When it is determined that the head switch 8 has not been pressed, it is determined in the next step Pj12 whether or not the voice output time measured starting from step Pj3 exceeds a predetermined time, for example, 10 seconds. . When the voice output time is 10 seconds or less, steps Pj9 and Pj10 are repeated until the time exceeds 10 seconds, and consecutive registered words are output. When the voice output time exceeds 10 seconds, in the next step Pj13, the input waiting time parameter is reset and the counting of the input waiting time is started.

In the next step Pj14, the control circuit 1 determines the voice input from the microphone 4. Specifically, when the level of the audio signal input from the microphone 4 is lower than a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that the audio signal is not input, and when the level is higher than the predetermined threshold value, the audio signal is input. Is judged. If the control circuit 1 determines that the audio signal is not input, the process proceeds to step Pj15. Step P
At j15, the elapsed time from step Pj13 indicated by the value of the waiting time parameter described above is compared with a predetermined time, for example, 10 seconds. If the elapsed time is shorter than 10 seconds, the process is returned to step Pj14 again. Thus, the presence or absence of voice input from the microphone 4 is detected.
When the voice is detected in step Pj14 within 10 seconds, the interrupt process for incrementing the waiting time parameter is stopped and the process proceeds from step Pj14 to step Pg17. If no voice is detected in step Pj14 within 10 seconds, the interrupt process for similarly incrementing the waiting time parameter is stopped, and then it is determined in step Pg16 whether the set elapsed time is longer than 2 minutes. To be judged. If the set elapsed time is longer than 2 minutes, the process is returned before step Pj2, and nothing is performed as the alarm process until it is determined that the set time has come again after about 12 hours or about 24 hours. It becomes a state. If the set elapsed time is 2 minutes or less, the process is returned to the step before Pj9, and the process is repeated from the selection of the registered word and the utterance.

At step Pj17, at step Pj14
The analog voice signal detected by
D-converted and converted into digitized audio data. At this time, for example, when the volume of the voice is larger than the upper limit threshold defined in the control circuit 1,
If it is smaller than the lower limit threshold value, and further, if the length of the voice is longer than the predetermined upper limit threshold value, the process proceeds to step Pj9, and the process from selecting the registered word and utterance is performed again. Repeated. If the sound data is properly acquired in step Pj17, the next step Pj
In 18, the registered word is output as sound from the speaker 7 in a predetermined procedure based on the acquired sound data, and then the snooze is entered.

That is, in step Pj19, after the parameter indicating the snooze time is reset, the interrupt process for incrementing the snooze time parameter is started. In the next step Pj20, it is monitored whether or not the snooze set time, for example, 4 minutes has elapsed, with reference to the snooze time parameter started in step Pj19, and when it is determined that 4 minutes have elapsed, the process is performed. Move to Pj21. Step Pj2
At 1, it is determined whether the set elapsed time from step Pj3 exceeds a predetermined reference time, for example, 30 minutes.
If the set elapsed time is less than or equal to the standard time, the process proceeds to step P.
Returning to j9, the process is repeated from the selection of the registered word and the utterance. If the set elapsed time exceeds the reference time, the process is returned before step Pj2, and no alarm process is performed until it is determined that the set time has come again after about 12 hours or about 24 hours. It will not be done.

It should be noted that although FIG. 16 does not describe the step for ending the processing, as for this, once the alarm switch 10 is turned off, the processing is immediately exited and the alarm processing is performed regardless of the step of the processing. To end.
It is also possible to always accept the OFF of the alarm switch 10 regardless of the stage of the process, and for example, immediately before the voice output step Pj5 or Pj10, determine the OFF of the alarm switch to forcibly terminate the process. . In this case, the appearance is the same as the former case in which the process ends immediately when the alarm switch 10 is turned off.

Next, the processing in the communication mode (hereinafter, conversation processing between toys) will be described. FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating the conversation process between toys. Figure 1
In FIG. 8, Pk1 to Pk7 indicate steps.

First, as the toys face each other in step Pk1, the reed switch 9 is moved as described above.
When 1 is conducted and the communication switch 9 is turned on, the conversation process between the toys is started. The communication mode M14 has the second highest priority next to the alarm mode M13, and the communication switch 9 is in use during various processes in the wake-up mode M11 or during the sleep mode M12.
When is turned on, communication mode M1 is forced
Go to 4. In the following step Pk2, after the communication mode time parameter is reset, time measurement (parameter increment) is started. Further, in the next step Pk3, the control circuit 1 determines whether or not there is a registered word in the FLASH ROM 3.

When it is determined in step Pk3 that there is a registered word, the control circuit 1 selects an output pattern of voice or sound including the registered word in step Pk4. Specifically, a plurality of output patterns are stored in advance in the ROM 2, the control circuit 1 generates a random number, and randomly selects an output pattern from the plurality of output patterns based on this random number. The number of output patterns is arbitrary,
Further, the probability of being randomly selected may be weighted. In this example, there are the following five output patterns, and the probability of being randomly selected is the same, that is, 20% each, and the following description will be made. As in the present example, when the probability of selection is not weighted, random selection is performed, and when some weighting is performed, pseudo-random selection is performed.

The first and second output patterns are registered word output patterns. In the first output pattern,
Next, at the time of actual utterance, random numbers are randomly or pseudo-randomly generated, different registered words are extracted based on the random numbers, and the different registered words are output at a predetermined interval, for example, every 5 seconds. For example, "Word A" →
(For 5 seconds) → “word B” → (for 5 seconds) → “word C” ... In the second output pattern, a random number is randomly or pseudo-randomly generated at the time of the next actual utterance, one different registered word is extracted based on the random number, and the extracted registered word is extracted at predetermined intervals, for example, every 5 seconds. Output repeatedly. For example, (for 5 seconds) → "Word A" → (for 5 seconds) → "Word A" → (for 5 seconds)
… And so on.

The third and fourth output patterns are ROM
2 is an output pattern of a word previously stored in 2, for example, a synthetic voice word. In the third output pattern, synthetic voice words whose output procedure is predetermined in a random manner are continuously output. For example, when expressing a continuous kissing sound,
"Woo-chu" → "chuchu" → "woo-n" → "woo-chu" → "chuchu" → "woo" ... It is also possible to have a plurality of continuous sounds or continuous voices that express pseudo conversation or motion as a whole, and to select and output at random or pseudo random at the time of actual output. In the fourth output pattern, for example, one synthetic voice word is continuously output to represent a pseudo conversation or a motion as a whole. For example, if you express a cry,
It is "way"->"way"->"way". Further, it is also possible to have a plurality of continuous sounds or continuous voices that express pseudo-speech or motion as a whole, and select one type randomly or pseudo-randomly at the time of actual output and continuously output.

In the fifth output pattern, the above-described automatic voice registration processing is applied to conversation between toys, and the sound or voice spoken by the other party is automatically taken in, and after a predetermined interval (for example, 5 seconds), rumination is made. And output. For example,
(Automatic registration of word A) → “(reproduction)”, (automatic registration of word B) → “(reproduction)” ...

At the next step Pk5, voice output is performed in accordance with the above output pattern. Specifically, the control circuit 1
However, according to the output pattern selected and read from the ROM2, the word read from the FLASH ROM3 or ROM2 is D / A converted and output from the speaker 7 via the pitch conversion circuit 5 and the audio amplification circuit 6. At this time, the fifth
In the output pattern, if the output pitch changes in the pitch converting circuit 5 in accordance with the pitch of the input voice, the processing by the pitch converting circuit 5 may be skipped during this reproduction. This is to avoid the inconvenience that the pitch changes rapidly while the automatic word registration and reproduction are repeated. When a predetermined time has elapsed, a waiting time of 5 seconds is provided by the same process as steps Pj13 and Pj15 in FIG. 17 , and the next word output is repeated again.

This processing is terminated by forcibly terminating any processing when a predetermined time, for example, 1 minute, has elapsed in the timing operation starting from step Pk2. When step Pk5 ends and the end time has not yet been reached, the process is repeated from step Pk4.

If it is determined in step Pk3 that there is no registered word, step Pk6 is followed by step Pk.
In the same manner as in 4, the control circuit 1 selects the output pattern of voice or sound including the registered word. Also in this case, there are five output patterns, sixth to tenth, which will be described below, and they are randomly selected.

The sixth, seventh, and eighth output patterns are the same as the third, fourth, and fifth output patterns, respectively. In the ninth output pattern, one synthesized voice word is continuously output, which is the same as the fourth output pattern, but here, a laughing voice is expressed. For example,
"Hi-ha-ha" → "hi-ha-ha" → "hi-ha-ha" ... and so on. Also, in the tenth output pattern, 1
The continuous output of one synthesized voice word is the same as the fourth and ninth output patterns, but here, an angry voice is expressed. For example, "Burururururu" → "Bururururururu" → "Bururururururu" ... In addition, also in the ninth and tenth output patterns,
It is also possible to have a plurality of continuous sounds or continuous voices that express pseudo-speech or motion as a whole, and select one type randomly or pseudo-randomly at the time of actual output and continuously output.

At the next step Pk7, voice output is performed in the same manner as at step Pk5 except that the word is read from the ROM 2 only. At this time, in the eighth output pattern, for the same reason as in the case of the fifth output pattern, the process by the pitch conversion circuit 5 may be skipped during reproduction.

This process is terminated forcibly in any process when a predetermined time, for example, 1 minute, has elapsed in the time counting operation starting from step Pk2. When step Pk5 ends and the end time has not yet been reached, the process is repeated from step Pk4.

As described above, the operation of the head switch 8 is accepted even in this communication mode, and if the head switch 8 is pressed during conversation, the sleep mode is forcibly entered. In addition, when the head switch 8 is pressed during a period other than during conversation, it is possible to extend the predetermined time in the communication mode by 1 minute.

By simply facing the two toys in this manner, the toys make a voice as if they were having a free conversation. In order to further enhance the feeling of conversation, by controlling the output timing between the two toys so that when one is speaking, the other is not speaking, the sense of listening to the conversation can be produced. In particular, when replaying after automatic recording, the word is replayed in return for the parrot, so that the toys can behave as if they are learning voice. Also, focusing on the fact that registered words are mostly predicates, when one says the subject (pet name or owner's name), the other says the predicate (registered word).
If you try to return the word or say one of the subject (pet name or owner's name) followed by the predicate (registered word), it will be possible to make the conversation more and more successful and the user will enjoy the strange combination. Can be done, and the taste is enhanced.

The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the electronic pet toy as shown in the external view of FIG. 1, but is widely applied to, for example, a computer or a game machine equipped with a voice output device. be able to. The present invention can also be applied to a recording medium in which the program is recorded by expressing the flowchart diagrams in the drawings used in the description of the embodiments of the present invention as a program.

[0148]

According to the voice processing device of the present invention, for example, a sound or voice can be output depending on the strength of the operation of the switch so that the voice processing device shows a reaction accompanied by emotion. In addition, by controlling the start and stop depending on the operation timing of the switch, it is possible to make the operation quiet when it is noisy, or to doze and fall asleep unless the switch is operated occasionally to give a stimulus. When the voice processing device according to the present invention is used, it is possible to obtain the sensation as if one were actually facing a living creature by enjoying these reactions, and the taste is enhanced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an appearance of a toy according to an embodiment of a voice processing device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a toy according to an embodiment of a voice processing device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operation mode relating to an operation at the first startup of the toy according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing details of an operation mode in a normal mode.

FIG. 5 is an overhead view showing the arrangement of toys in the communication mode.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an operation mode related to a reliability parameter.

FIG. 7 is a first flowchart illustrating a process in a first start mode.

FIG. 8 is a second flowchart illustrating the processing in the initial startup mode.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process in a wake-up mode.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process in a voice recognition process.

FIG. 11 is a first flowchart illustrating a process in a temporary registration process.

FIG. 12 is a second flowchart illustrating a process in a temporary registration process.

FIG. 13 is a first flowchart illustrating a process in a registration extension process.

FIG. 14 is a second flowchart illustrating a process in a registration extension process.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart for explaining a vocalization process when the head switch is switched.

FIG. 16 is a first flowchart illustrating an alarm process.

FIG. 17 is a second flowchart illustrating the processing in the alarm mode.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a process in a communication mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Control circuit (control means), 2 ... ROM (second storage means), 3 ... FLASHROM (first storage means), 4 ...
Microphone (voice input means), 5 ... pitch conversion circuit, 6 ... voice amplification circuit, 7 ... speaker (voice output means), 8 ... head switch (switch), 9 ... communication switch, 10 ... alarm switch, 11 ... reset Switch, 12 ... Clock operating mechanism.

Continuation of front page (56) Reference JP-A-57-157178 (JP, A) JP-A-10-328422 (JP, A) JP-A-9-16197 (JP, A) JP-A-63-212888 (JP , A) JP-A-6-134145 (JP, A) JP-A-2000-37566 (JP, A) International Publication 99/065007 (WO, A1) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G10L 13/00

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. A voice output means and switching between a voice output start mode and a voice output stop mode in response to an operation.
Operation switch for changing and a clock that outputs a timing signal that measures the duration of the startup mode
Time means, and control means for performing voice output control based on the above-mentioned clock signal
If has, the control means, when said operation switch is operated to start mode,
Different sounds or voice in response to the operation time is read from the memorize means is outputted from the voice output means, the upper
At the end of the specified time, the sound or voice above
When the above operation switch is operated,
The voice registered when the voice was registered in the memory means
During the output from the output means, the above operation switch again
The voice output is activated at the earliest time when is operated.
Mode to stop mode, and then press again during stop mode.
When the operation switch is operated, the above sound or voice is read.
Produce and output, and start mode after the above specified time
Voice output toy to return to . 2. A plurality of voices expressing emotions from anger to pleasure are stored in the storage means, and the control means is the anger voice that most strongly expresses the anger voice as the operating time of the operation switch is shorter. Close to, above
The voice output toy according to claim 1 , wherein a voice close to a pleasure voice that most strongly expresses a pleasant voice as the operation switch is operated is selected and read out . 3. The control means maintains the starting mode.
Input from the voice input means within the predetermined time
When the voice is registered in the storage means,
After resetting, restart the time measurement for the specified time from that point.
The voice output toy according to claim 1 or 2 , which is started . 4. A control written above means, to persist the activation mode
The voice is output from the voice output means within the predetermined time.
The above operation switch was operated again while it was not
Time, reset the timekeeping means and restart from that point.
4. Any one of claims 1 to 3 for starting time measurement of a predetermined time
Voice output toy described in crab . 5. A control written above means, the in the upper Symbol stop mode
In response to the operation switch being pressed, the above voice output
Repeat while the above sound or voice is being output from the dan.
When the operation switch is operated, go to the startup mode above.
Speech according to any one of claims 1 to 4 to stop the migration of
Output toys . 6. Automatically turning on when another voice generating toy is brought close to it.
To switch to the mode to output sound or voice
A reed switch is further provided, and the control means outputs the sound or voice automatically.
During the mode, the sound or voice read from the above storage means
While the sound is being output from the above audio output means,
When the operation switch is operated, the above stop is forced.
The audio output toy according to any one of claims 1 to 5 for shifting to the mode. 7. The control means stops after the predetermined time has elapsed.
When switching to the stop mode, the snoring sound is displayed above.
Read from the storage means and output from the voice output means
After what of claims 1 to 6, to shift to the stop mode
The voice output toy described in it .