JP6590393B1 - toy - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toy that can act on a user from a toy and can output an operation or a sound corresponding to the reaction of the user and does not bore the user. A toy 1 has a main body 2 having a control device 3, an output device 4, an acceleration sensor 5, and a power source 6. The control device 3 uses the acceleration data input from the acceleration sensor 5 to Direction determination unit 7 for determining the direction, request of toy 1 for the direction, user response to the request, request response history unit 12 that records a history of elapsed time, request of toy 1, and user for the request At least one condition having the response and the elapsed time as factors, a condition information part 11 having at least one output corresponding to the condition, and direction data of the body part 2 from the direction determination part 7, With reference to the request response history unit 12 and the condition information unit 11, an output data specifying unit 8 that specifies identification information of output data to be output, and output data to be output from the output data specifying unit 8 The output processing unit 9 acquires and outputs the corresponding output data from the output data unit 13 storing the output data, and the history data unit 14 outputs the output data output by the output processing unit 9 and the history of time and direction. A toy having a history processing unit 10 for recording. [Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a toy.

  Conventionally, there has been a toy that has a sensor and outputs a predetermined sound or action when a detection result of the sensor satisfies a predetermined condition. There have also been toys that change the output voice and operation in various ways.

  For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a toy that has a plurality of sensors and emits different voices or talks with a user depending on the combination of sensing of each sensor.

  As a specific example, the toy of Patent Document 1 has a main body (doll body) having a doll shape, for example, and has contact sensors on the buttock and forehead of the doll body, and the heel sensor detects contact. When the forehead sensor does not detect contact, the doll body is recognized as being in a sitting state, and voice recognition is possible. When the user picks up the doll body, the buttocks sensor does not detect the contact, and the forehead sensor detects the contact, so that it recognizes that it has been picked up and outputs a corresponding sound.

  This type of toy outputs a predetermined sound or action with a certain state as a trigger. From this point, this kind of toy can be called a passive toy. For example, a toy that detects that it has been boiled and emits a predetermined sound can be mentioned.

  On the other hand, there has been a toy that receives a voice or action actively issued by a user and outputs a corresponding voice or action. Since this type of toy is output in response to the user's voice and movement, it can be called an interactive toy. For example, a toy that returns a word in response to a word uttered by a user.

JP 2006-6586 A

  In general, the passive toy described above receives a certain state and outputs a predetermined operation or sound as a trigger.

  An interactive toy receives the user's voice and movement and outputs the corresponding movement or voice, but is passive in that the toy outputs a predetermined movement or voice after receiving the user's voice or movement. Same as toy.

  In this way, conventional toys, including passive toys and interactive toys, are triggered by the input of the toy, whether it is a sensor input or a user input, and the toy outputs some reaction. I was trying to do it.

  However, no output from the toy will cause the user to feel that the toy is being used unless the user causes the toy to act on the toy, including setting the toy in a usable state. And reduce the interest of the user.

  In addition, unless the user works on the toy, the user often gets bored if the toy does not react.

  On the other hand, there is a toy that detects and reacts to a user's inevitable movement or the like so as not to make the user aware that some kind of work is applied to the toy.

  However, when this kind of toy outputs a certain response corresponding to the predetermined condition, that is, a predictable response, the toy is still tired of the user and the user's interest is reduced.

  Further, if the user does not move, the toy is not output at all, and the user is easily bored.

  For this reason, in the field of conventional toys, there has been a strong demand for toys that do not make users tired.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a toy that can act on the user from the toy and can output an action or a sound corresponding to the reaction of the user and does not bore the user.

  In other words, an object of the present invention is to provide a reverse active toy that works on the user from the toy.

The toy of the present invention is, for example,
A toy having a main body having a control device, an output device, an acceleration sensor, and a power source,
The controller is
An orientation determining unit that determines the orientation of the main body from acceleration data input from the acceleration sensor;
A request response history unit that records a history of a toy request for orientation, a user response to the request, and an elapsed time;
A toy request, a user response to the request, and at least one condition having an elapsed time as a factor, and a condition information unit having at least one output corresponding to the condition;
Obtaining data of the orientation of the main body from the orientation determination unit, referring to the request response history unit and the condition information unit, an output data specifying unit for specifying identification information of output data to be output;
An output processing unit that acquires identification information of the identified output data from the output data identification unit, acquires and outputs the corresponding output data from the output data unit that stores the output data, and
And a history processing unit that records output data output by the output processing unit, history of the elapsed time, and orientation of the main body unit in a history data unit.

  The orientation may be determined by a triaxial acceleration sensor.

  The output may be an audio output or an operation output of the toy.

  The output specifying unit specifies identification information of a voice output that requests to change the orientation of the main body unit and outputs the identification information to the output processing unit, detects a user response from the direction determination unit, and the request response An audio output indicating satisfaction or dissatisfaction may be specified by referring to the history part and the condition information part, and output to the output processing part.

  The condition information unit outputs an output indicating satisfaction when the user performs an operation in response to the request of the toy, or when the user performs an operation contrary to the request of the toy or does not respond to the request Conditions and correspondences may be set so as to output an output indicating dissatisfaction.

  In the condition information part, conditions and correspondences may be set so that the degree of satisfaction or dissatisfaction increases with time.

  The output data may include a plurality of sound sequences in which voice sound, sound quality, volume, content, wording, or a combination of at least two of them are different from each other.

  The output specifying unit may specify identification information of output data of a predetermined audio sequence with reference to the condition information unit after the user performs an operation in response to the request of the toy.

  The output specifying unit may specify identification information of output data of a predetermined audio sequence at random after the user performs an operation in response to the request for the toy.

  The output specifying unit may output the output data of a predetermined audio sequence by switching to the output data to another audio sequence while the output data of the predetermined audio sequence is being output over time.

  The speech sequence is obtained by synthesizing speech by synthesizing speech by using a speech synthesis engine of a first language to decompose a sentence of a second language into words and applying words of the first language whose pronunciation is close to the words. May be provided as an audio output in the second language.

  The output specifying unit detects a user response to the request from the orientation determination unit, and outputs a command to increase the output size according to an elapsed time when the request is not satisfied, and the output processing unit A voice output of a corresponding magnitude may be output according to the command.

  The output specifying unit has information on the orientation of the main body unit in which the speaker faces downward, compares the orientation data from the orientation determination unit with the orientation in which the speaker faces downward, and the speaker is facing downward. When it is determined that there is a command, a command for outputting a large voice output may be output, and the output processing unit may output a voice output of a corresponding magnitude according to the command.

It is a block diagram of the toy by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the control apparatus by one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing (FIG.3 (b)) explaining the process of a control apparatus (FIG.3 (a)) and the control method of the toy direction by one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of an example of selection of the audio | voice series by the output audio | voice specific | specification part of one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of an example of the selection of the other audio | voice series by the output audio | voice specific | specification part of one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the storage data of the log | history data part by one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the storage data of the condition information part by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the audio | voice output by one Embodiment of this invention.

  Examples of embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described below.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a toy 1 according to an embodiment.

  The toy 1 has a main body 2. The main body 2 includes a control device 3, a speaker 4 (output device), an acceleration sensor 5 (sensor), and a power source 6.

  The toy 1 of this embodiment issues a request from the toy 1 to the user in the direction in which the main body 2 is placed, and further outputs in response to the user's response to the request.

  For ease of understanding, the following example requires the user to change the direction as time passes when the main body 2 of the toy 1 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and is placed in a predetermined orientation (posture). When the user responds to the request, an output indicating satisfaction is output, and when the user does not respond to the response or does not respond to the request, an output indicating dissatisfaction is output.

  Since the main body 2 is a rectangular parallelepiped, there are six types of “orientations” when each side is placed face down.

  When the user does not respond to the request, the toy 1 performs an output indicating that the degree of dissatisfaction increases with time. In addition, when the user responds to the request after a long time has elapsed, an output indicating deeper satisfaction is performed. On the other hand, if the user makes a response contrary to the request after a long period of time has elapsed, the content that causes dissatisfaction is output.

  In addition, since the request | requirement and output of the toy 1 are related to "direction", it demonstrates below supposing that the main-body part 2 has a hexahedron form for simplicity. However, the main body 2 is not limited to a hexahedron, and may be any polyhedron, doll, animal, or the like as long as it can maintain a posture for a certain time in a certain direction.

  The above-mentioned “direction” will be further defined and explained later.

  In this embodiment, an acceleration sensor 5 is provided as a sensor for detecting the direction. In addition, if the request | requirement and output of the toy 1 are with respect to another environment (for example, temperature, a sound, etc.), the other kind of sensor which can detect the state of this environment is used. Other types of sensors include, but are not limited to, human sensors, vibration sensors, temperature sensors, humidity sensors, light sensors, and sound sensors. Of course, the sensor is not limited to one type of sensor, and may be used in combination with another sensor. For example, the acceleration sensor 5 and another sensor such as a human sensor may be used in combination.

  The toy 1 of the present embodiment has an example of outputting sound as an output, and thus has a speaker 4 as an output device. However, the output device of the toy 1 is not limited to the speaker 4.

  That is, the output of the toy 1 is sufficient if it can express satisfaction and dissatisfaction, and is not limited to audio output. For example, the toy 1 may express satisfaction or dissatisfaction by its operation.

  In addition, when referring to the “motion” of the toy 1 in this specification, the “motion” is not limited to a motion, but includes a motion that does not involve a motion, such as a change in color, illuminance, temperature, smell, or the like. .

  Therefore, in addition to the speaker 4, the output device of the toy 1 may be a drive device that causes the toy 1 to perform a predetermined movement, a lighting device that changes color and illuminance, a heater that changes temperature and odor, and the like.

  The power source 6 is generally a battery, but includes an external power source connected by a cord or the like because it is sufficient if power can be provided.

  FIG. 2 shows a functional configuration of the control device 3.

  The control device 3 includes a direction determination unit 7, an output audio identification unit 8, an audio output processing unit 9, and a history processing unit 10 as modules for processing data.

  Further, as a device for storing and managing data, the control device 3 includes a condition information unit 11, a request response history unit 12, a voice data unit 13, and a history data unit 14.

  In addition, in this embodiment, since the environment where the toy issues a request depending on the state is the “direction” in which the toy is placed, the direction determining unit 7 is included. It is an example of a certain environmental state determination part. If the environment changes, the judgment method and sensor will also change.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, since a toy outputs with a sound, it has the output audio | voice specific | specification part 8, the audio | voice output process part 9, and the audio | voice data part 13, These are the output specific | specification part which is each high-order concept, and It is an example of an output process part and an output data part. As described above, the output includes voice and operation, and the format of output data varies depending on the type of output.

  The function of each part of the control device 3 is as follows.

  The orientation determination unit 7 acquires acceleration data from the acceleration sensor 5 and determines the orientation of the main body unit 2. The request response history unit 12 records and manages a request of the toy 1 with respect to the orientation of the main body unit 2, a user response to the request, and a history of passage of time.

The condition information unit 11 stores information used for processing for specifying sound data (output sound) to be output. The condition information unit 11 stores a rule for determining audio data to be output next from a history of audio or the like output in the past. In addition, a correspondence table is stored in which the toy 1 request, the user's response to the request, at least one condition having time as a factor, and at least one output corresponding to the condition are associated with each other. Yes.
The output voice specifying unit 8 inputs the data of the direction of the main body unit 2 from the direction determining unit 7, refers to the request response history unit 12 and the condition information unit 11, and specifies the identification information of the voice data to be output.

  The audio output processing unit 9 receives the identification information of the audio data to be output specified by the output audio specifying unit 8, acquires the corresponding audio data from the audio data unit 13, and outputs it. Therefore, audio data (wav or mp3 format audio file) is stored in the audio data unit 13 corresponding to the identification information of the audio data. Note that the voice data may be stored in advance, or may be generated by voice synthesis from text and stored when necessary.

  The history processing unit 10 records and manages the output data output by the audio output processing unit 9 and the history of time and direction in the history data unit 14.

  A specific process of the control device 3 will be described below with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3A shows a method for defining the direction of the toy 1. The main body 2 of the toy 1 is a rectangular parallelepiped (a hexahedron in which three sets of parallel surfaces are perpendicular to each other). The center of the main body 2 is the origin O, and the spatial coordinate axes are X, Y, and Z. Of the X, Y, and Z axes, the Z axis is vertical and the X and Y axes are horizontal. Preferably, the X, Y, and Z axes are arranged parallel to or perpendicular to each surface of the main body 2.

In such a coordinate system, the orientation of the toy 1 can be defined by the rotation angles θ _X , θ _Y , θ _Z with respect to the coordinate axes X, Y, Z.

The value of the rotation angle θ _Z around the Z-axis varies depending on which direction the horizontal direction is directed with the bottom surface of the main body 2 being horizontal. Based toy 1 a certain direction in the horizontal direction, when considering the deflection for that direction, the rotation angle theta _Z and an element of orientation. For example, there is a case where the direction in which the user is present is detected by a sensor and a request or output is made by deflection of the direction relative to the direction.

In the example of the present embodiment, the environment to which the toy 1 outputs sound is the posture in which the toy 1 except the direction in the horizontal plane is placed, and therefore only the rotation angles θ _X and θ _{Y with} respect to the X axis and the Y axis. What is necessary is just to prescribe | regulate the direction of the main-body part 2. FIG. A rotation angle theta _X around the X axis, the Y-axis of the rotation angle theta _Y, it is possible to define the slope and the longitudinal inclination of the left and right of the main body portion 2.

The acceleration sensor 5 can be a so-called “three-axis acceleration sensor” that detects accelerations in the three-axis directions of X, Y, and Z. The toy 1 always receives gravitational acceleration. Therefore, the direction determination unit 7 can determine the direction in which the toy 1 is placed depending on which axis of the acceleration sensor indicates a value approximate to positive or negative gravitational acceleration. For example, when the acceleration sensor that detects the Z-axis direction in FIG. 3 detects a positive gravitational acceleration (including an error range), a state in which the upper surface of the box shown in FIG. θx = 0 °, θy = 0 °). Conversely, when negative gravitational acceleration (including an error range) is detected, it can be determined that the upper surface is placed downward (that is, θx = 180 °, θy = 0 °). For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when a person is drawn on the box, the ventral side is grounded (θx = 0 °, θy = 270 °), the back side is grounded (θx = 0 °, θy = 90 °), and the foot side Is grounded (θx = 0 °, θy = 0 °), the head side is grounded (θx = 0 °, θy = 180 °), the left hand side is grounded (θx = 90 °, θy = 0 °), and the right hand side is grounded Six states (θx = 270 °, θy = 0 °) can be easily detected.

  The control device 3 controls the operation of the toy 1 in an integrated manner. The control device 3 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that is an arithmetic device, a RAM (Random Access Memory) that is a volatile storage device, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that is a nonvolatile storage device, and the control device 3. It can be realized by a computer including an interface (I / F) circuit that connects other units, a bus that connects these units to each other, and the like. The control device 3 may be realized by an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or the like.

  At least a part of the functions of the control device 3 can be realized, for example, when the CPU reads a predetermined program stored in the ROM and executes it. The predetermined program is, for example, an application program that operates on an OS (Operating System), and can be read and installed from a portable storage medium, or downloaded and installed from a server on a network.

  FIG. 3B shows a method in which the toy 1 outputs sound according to the direction in which it is placed and the passage of time.

  In FIG. 3B, the request response history unit 12 manages the direction in which the toy 1 is placed, the elapsed time, and the history part of the user's response. In addition, the condition information unit 11 stores and manages the relationship of selecting predetermined audio data on the condition that the toy is placed, the elapsed time, and the response history of the user.

The “time” column in the table of FIG. 3B indicates the time when the direction of the toy 1 is detected. t ₁ , t ₂ , t ₃ ,... preferably detect the direction of the toy 1 at regular time intervals t.

The columns of θ _X and θ _{Y in} the table of FIG. 3B indicate the direction (angle) of the toy 1. In the present embodiment, since the rotation angle θ _Z around the Z axis is not used as an element, the direction of the toy 1 is defined by the rotation angles θ _X and θ _Y.

  The “T” column in the table of FIG. 3B indicates the cumulative length of time that has elapsed since the direction was fixed.

  The right side of the table of FIG. 3B shows the audio output that is output on condition of the direction in which the toy 1 is placed, the elapsed time, and the response history of the user. For example, N2 (S1, N1) indicates that the history of S1 and N2 is obtained and N2 is output.

  N, M, O, P, Q,... Indicate voice sequences for voice output. The voice sequence is a group of voice outputs in which voice sound (sound), sound quality, volume, content, wording, or a combination of at least two of them differs for each sequence. For example, a speech sequence based on a child's speech and speech, a speech sequence based on a female speech, and a speech sequence such as Japanese speaking by a foreigner. Even if the voices are the same, the voice series has a gentle wording and the voice series has a rough wording. Alternatively, there is an audio sequence that includes a dialect.

  Like N1, N2, N3,..., The numbers added to the characters representing the speech sequence indicate the depth in the same speech sequence, that is, the degree of dissatisfaction and satisfaction with the passage of time.

  The request by the toy 1 of the present embodiment requests that the direction be changed when the toy 1 is placed in the same direction. As the time in which the toy 1 is placed in the same direction becomes longer, the voice output becomes dissatisfied. The degree of indication is high. The numbers added to the speech sequences such as N1, N2, N3,... Mainly indicate the degree of dissatisfaction in the same speech sequence. The greater the number, the higher the degree of dissatisfaction. Note that when the user performs an operation that satisfies the request at a high degree of dissatisfaction, the degree of satisfaction also increases.

  Like N1, N2,..., A code consisting of a voice sequence and a number has a one-to-one correspondence with voice output (voice data) and is identification information of voice data to be output.

  Like N3 (S1, N1, N2), S1, N1, and N2 attached to the parenthesis of N3 indicate the history of reaching N3. This history is a condition for determining the next audio output. That is, the history indicates how the toy 1 has been requested, and the output can be changed according to the history, for example, by rapidly increasing the degree of dissatisfaction based on the history. Further, the audio sequence of the next audio output can be changed according to the history.

  A rule for determining the next audio output from the history is stored in the condition information unit 11 in advance. For example, the audio output of the same sequence is determined in numerical order until a predetermined time elapses from a certain sequence, and when a predetermined time elapses, it is changed to another sequence determined in advance (may be determined randomly). Further, if the direction is changed while the same series continues, it is changed to another series that is predetermined (may be determined at random).

  If voices are output with the same voice series, the same person or thing will feel like speaking, and it will feel that the continued request will continue. On the other hand, if the voice sequence changes in the middle, it can be felt that the voice has changed greatly due to emotions, and the user can continue to be interested without getting bored.

  Here, the mechanism by which the audio output changes will be described over time.

At time t ₁ in FIG. 3B, the processing of the control device 3 is started, and the starting direction is set as θ _X = 0 and θ _Y = 0, and the direction of the toy 1 is set as a reference. The elapsed time T is zero. The voice output (identification information) at this time is S1. S1 may be a default greeting or a message at the start.
Next, at time t ₂ , the toy 1 is rotated 90 degrees around the X axis, indicating that the rotation angles θ _X = 90 ° and θ _Y = 0 °. The elapsed time T after the orientation of θ _X = 90 ° and θ _Y = 0 ° is zero. As an audio output at this time, an N-sequence audio sequence is selected. Since the immediately preceding output S1 is the starting point of the change to the N-sequence audio sequence, S1 is shown at the beginning of the history. Here, the number indicating the degree of S1 is 1. For this reason, N1 (S1) is a message indicating a light satisfaction, for example, “I was good to lie down”.

Next, at time t ₃ , the toy 1 is maintained at the rotation angles θ _X = 90 ° and θ _Y = 0 °, and t time has elapsed since this state was reached. At this time, the audio output N2 (S1, N1) is determined based on the history S1, N1. The voice output N2 (S1, N1) is a message such as “Wake up soon” with an increased degree of request.

Then, at time _{t 4,} the rotation angle of the toy 1 _{θ X} = 90 °, from becoming a state of θ _Y = 0 ° 2t time has elapsed. At this time, an audio output N3 (S1, N1, N2) is output based on the history S1, N1, N2. In this case, the degree of satisfaction or dissatisfaction is 3 because the user does not respond to the request even after the time 2t elapses. For this reason, the voice output N3 (S1, N1, N2) can output a message such as “Wake up early!”.

Then, at time _{t 5,} the rotation angle of the toy 1 _{θ X} = 180 °, in the state of θ _Y = 0 °. This indicates that the user did not wake up the toy 1 normally as requested, but placed it upside down. In other words, it indicates that the user has performed an operation contrary to the request of the toy 1. The elapsed time after this state is 0, but it is clear from the history that the user has performed an action contrary to the request regardless of the repeat request. A series is selected and M1 ( N3 ) in rough language is output.

Next, at time t ₆ , the toy 1 is maintained at the rotation angles θ _X = 180 °, θ _Y = 0 °, and t time has elapsed. An audio output M2 (N3, M1) is output based on the histories N3, M1. The degree of dissatisfaction is even greater. For example, it is possible to output a message such as “No, I wake up early!”.

Next, at time t ₇ , the toy 1 is maintained at the rotation angles θ _X = 180 °, θ _Y = 0 °, and 2t has elapsed. An audio output M3 (N3, M1, M2) is output based on the histories N3, M1, M2. The voice output M3 (N3, M1, M2) can output a message corresponding to the direction of the toy 1, such as “Iterate, blood rises on the head, wake up early!”.

Next, at time t ₈ , the toy 1 is in the state of the rotation angles θ _X = 270 ° and θ _Y = 0 °, and the elapsed time T from this state is zero. The change in direction indicates that the user has responded to the request for the toy 1. The history has M3 which is the previous final action. The history of M3 is found to be M3 (N3, M1, M2) by referring to the previous history, and the M speech sequence so far has the user responding in reverse to the previous N3 request. Therefore, the state where the toy 1 was in trouble is shown. For this reason, the rotation angle θ _X = 270 °, the upside-down state is relaxed, a slightly gentle O-sequence is selected as the audio sequence, and the audio output O1 (M3) indicating a slightly relaxed satisfaction is output. The The audio output O1 (M3) can output, for example, “It was good, I was able to lie down.” The voice output of the toy 1 can output a corresponding message with reference to the current direction.

Next, at time t ₉ , the toy 1 is maintained at the rotation angles θ _X = 270 ° and θ _Y = 0 °, and t time has elapsed. The degree of dissatisfaction has increased to two. Based on the history M3, O1, the audio output O2 (M3, O1) refers to the rotation angle θ _X = 90 ° of the previous history, for example, “the right side is better than the right side”. be able to. In other words, the degree of dissatisfaction can be changed to different requirements.

At time _{t 10,} the rotational angle _{θ X} = 270 ° of the toy 1, θ _Y = 0 ° in the state is maintained, has elapsed 2t time. Therefore, the degree of dissatisfaction has increased to 3. The voice output may be called, for example, “Nee, get up early”.

At time t ₁₁ , even if the rotation angle θ _X = 270 ° is maintained, the rotation angle around the Y axis is changed to θ _Y = 90 °. This indicates that the user did not wake up the toy 1 but knocked it down before. In this state, the elapsed time T becomes zero. Since this new direction is a user response contrary to the request of the toy 1, the voice series P with a high overall dissatisfaction level is selected, and voice output by the voice series P can be started.

The time t ₁₁ and subsequent, similarly there are differences schematic, based on a predetermined algorithm, it is possible to select the next audio output, continues to output the sound.

Note that the audio output of the t ₁₁ after the above time t ₁ has been described in example degree basically dissatisfaction increases. That is, the case where the degree of dissatisfaction increases when left in a certain state or placed in a state contrary to the requirement has been described.

  However, the degree of dissatisfaction and the degree of satisfaction are in a reverse relationship, and audio output may be performed based on the degree of satisfaction.

  In other words, the degree of satisfaction may be a large value when the requirement is satisfied, and otherwise the degree of satisfaction may be decreased.

  In this case, since the audio output is gradually reduced in the degree of satisfaction, it has a so-called “disgusting” impression, and can have a different effect on the emotion of the user.

  In the above description, the change in volume is not described, but the sound output may be changed in volume.

  That is, the volume may be increased as the time when the request is not satisfied becomes longer. In order to realize such audio output, the output audio specifying unit 8 has a command related to the volume during the command to the audio output processing unit 9, and the audio output processing unit 9 increases or decreases the volume when outputting to the speaker 4. It can be controlled and output.

  Further, the volume may be increased when the surface of the main body 2 where the speakers 4 are provided faces downward.

  In order to realize such audio output, the output audio specifying unit 8 inputs the orientation of the main body 2 from the orientation determining unit 7 and when the surface on which the speaker 4 is provided faces downward, the audio output processing unit A command to increase the volume is output to 9 so that the audio output processing unit 9 can control and output the volume greatly when the speaker 4 outputs the command.

  Although the method for selecting the audio output has been described above, the selection / specification of the next audio output is performed with reference to the history so far. However, if the audio output is repeated with a certain relationship, the user is often bored. Here, a method for changing the audio output will be described.

  One method for changing the sound output is to cause the condition information unit 11 to store and manage all the sound output change patterns and to select the patterns randomly with a certain degree of freedom. However, in this method, the number of sound output change patterns stored in the condition information unit 11 is enormous. Moreover, it is difficult for the change pattern of the audio output to fit the history of the request of the toy 1 and the response of the user so far.

  Another method is that the condition information unit 11 has a basic correspondence between history and voice output, and the output voice identification unit 8 has an algorithm for modifying the correspondence of the condition information unit 11. is there.

  That is, the condition information unit 11 stores sound output corresponding to the condition, but the sound output belongs to the sound sequence, and each sound sequence has a degree of dissatisfaction, brightness of expression, sound and wording, Attributes are attached to the contents.

  The output voice specifying unit 8 determines the voice series and the degree of satisfaction or dissatisfaction according to the rule of the condition information processing unit 11, that is, the rule that determines the voice output on the condition of the response history, specifies the voice to be output, The identification information is output. Each speech sequence has a plurality of speech outputs according to the degree of satisfaction or dissatisfaction, and the output speech specifying unit 8 can select speech output from any dissatisfaction level of any speech sequence.

  In addition, when there are a plurality of selectable speech sequences, the output speech specifying unit 8 can change the speech sequence to be output with a certain probability.

  FIG. 4 illustrates the selection of a speech sequence by the output speech specifying unit 8 in an explanatory manner.

  The column of “voice sequence” in the table of FIG. 4 shows the current voice sequence. “Next selected speech sequence” in the table indicates the next selected speech sequence. The “satisfaction” column indicates that the same speech sequence can be started from any degree of satisfaction / dissatisfaction. Primary, secondary, ... correspond to satisfaction numbers.

  If the current speech sequence is N, the default value is to select the speech sequence N again. On the other hand, the output speech specifying unit 8 can change the speech sequence N to the speech sequence O with reference to the history so far.

  In addition, voice output can be started from the degree of the degree of satisfaction of the selected speech sequence by taking over the previous degree of satisfaction.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the output voice specifying unit 8 can select another voice series instead of the voice series O with a certain probability.

  Alternatively, the output voice specifying unit 8 can select an arbitrary voice series at random.

  FIG. 5 shows selection of another audio sequence by the output audio specifying unit 8.

  In the case of FIG. 4, when the output voice specifying unit 8 selects one series of voice outputs, the same voice series is output until the user responds next time.

  On the other hand, in FIG. 5, it is possible to switch to another audio sequence in the middle of outputting the same audio sequence. The switching trigger can be arbitrarily provided in the output voice specifying unit 8 or the condition information unit 11. For example, if the user does not respond to the request of the toy 1 for a predetermined number of times, the output voice specifying unit 8 can be switched to another emotional voice series on the way. As a result, it can appear as if there is a undulation of emotion.

  Also, when switching voice sequences in the middle, an arbitrary voice sequence can be selected from a plurality of voice sequences (M, O, P in the example of FIG. 5) with a predetermined probability.

  As is clear from the above description, according to the toy 1 of the present embodiment, the toy 1 actively issues a request to the user and requests a response from the user. It is possible to prevent the failure.

  Moreover, according to the toy 1 of the present embodiment, the toy 1 has a change of emotion and outputs a corresponding voice from the history of the response of the user. For this reason, it is possible to capture the user's response and work more interactively on the user to prevent the user from getting bored.

  In addition, by including contents that are not related to the direction of the toy 1 in the voice series and selecting them randomly, it is possible to attract the user's attention and prevent boredom. As an example, an audio sequence such as an interesting story or a daily saying may be included.

  Furthermore, the state of the surrounding environment may be acquired by a sensor, and the audio sequence may be changed.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of data stored in the history data unit 14.

The “elapsed time” column in FIG. 6 stores data of times t1, t2, t3,... The “history (orientation)” column in the figure stores orientation data θ _X , θ _Y , and θ _Z corresponding to each elapsed time. The “history (output)” column in the figure stores the data of the output voice series. The “history (ID)” column in the figure stores the output audio data N1, N2,.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of data stored in the condition information section 11.

  In the “Condition ID” column of FIG. 7, the identification number of a predetermined condition is stored. In the “Condition” column of the figure, data such as predetermined conditions, that is, the current orientation of the toy 1, the duration of the same orientation, the previous orientation, and the like are stored. In the “sound data” in the figure, sound output data N1, N2, N3,... Are stored.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of audio output processing by the toy 1.

  When the toy 1 is powered on, the control device 3 starts processing (S100).

  First, the orientation determination unit determines the orientation of the toy 1, specifically, the main body 2 (S110).

  Next, the output voice specifying unit 8 specifies the identification information of the voice to be output next using the determined direction, the history of the request response history unit 12, the stored information of the condition information unit 11, and the like (S120).

  Next, the audio output processing unit 9 acquires the identification information of the audio data specified from the output audio specifying unit 8, acquires the corresponding audio data from the audio data unit 13, and outputs it to the output device such as the speaker 4. (S130).

  Next, the history processing unit 10 records a history in the history data unit 14 based on the output audio output (S140).

  When the processes of S100 to S140 are completed, the control device 3 returns to the direction determination of S110, and thereafter repeats the processes of processes S110 to S140.

  Here, as an example of a speech sequence, a speech sequence such as pronunciation of Japanese by a foreigner will be described.

  Such a speech sequence is referred to herein as a “non-standard Japanese speech sequence” because the pronunciation is non-standard Japanese.

  Non-standard Japanese speech sequences are often attracted to human attention when synthesized by a speech synthesis engine rather than actual human pronunciation.

  A specific method for generating a non-standard Japanese speech sequence is to use a foreign language (first language) speech synthesis engine to decompose a target Japanese (second language) sentence into words, and then convert each second language word. Apply words in the first language that are similar in pronunciation to the speech synthesis engine in the foreign language (first language).

  As a result, the speech synthesis engine reads out sentences that do not make sense as a foreign language (first language), but for Japanese (second language), the pronunciation is strange and non-standard, but it makes sense. Japanese (second language) speech is generated.

  The reason for providing such a non-standard Japanese voice series is that the voice output in Japanese, which is a little strange to Toy 1, draws the user's attention compared to the standard Japanese voice output. For he will not get bored.

  For example, the output voice specifying unit 8 normally selects the voice data of the standard voice series as the identification information of the voice data to be output. On the other hand, when a predetermined time has passed, You may make it select the audio | speech data of the nonstandard audio | voice series whose pronunciation is strange.

  Based on the above description, those skilled in the art may be able to conceive additional effects and various modifications of the present invention, but the aspects of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various additions, modifications, and partial deletions can be made without departing from the concept and spirit of the present invention derived from the contents defined in the claims and equivalents thereof.

1: Toy 2: Main unit 3: Control device 4: Speaker 5: Acceleration sensor 6: Power source 7: Direction determination unit 8: Output voice identification unit 9: Audio output processing unit 10: History processing unit 11: Condition information unit 12: Request response history unit 13: Voice data unit 14: History data unit

Claims (7)

A toy having a main body having a control device, an output device, an acceleration sensor, and a power source,
The controller is
An orientation determining unit that determines the orientation of the main body from acceleration data input from the acceleration sensor;
A toy request for orientation, a user response to the request, and a request response history section that records a history of elapsed time;
A toy request, a user response to the request, and at least one condition having an elapsed time as a factor, and a condition information unit having at least one output corresponding to the condition;
Obtaining data of the orientation of the main body from the orientation determination unit, referring to the request response history unit and the condition information unit, an output data specifying unit for specifying identification information of output data to be output;
From said output data identifying unit, and an output processing unit that acquires identification information of the output data specified, to obtain a corresponding output data from the output data section for storing the output data,
Possess the output data the output processing section is outputted, and the elapsed time, and a history processing unit for recording the history data portion the orientation of the history of the body portion,
The output data specifying unit specifies audio output identification information that is requested to change the direction of the main body unit and outputs the identification information to the output processing unit, detects a user response from the direction determination unit, and the request Refer to the response history part and the condition information part to identify a voice output indicating satisfaction or dissatisfaction, and output it to the output processing part,
The output data specifying unit further includes information on the orientation of the main body unit in which the speaker faces downward, compares the orientation data from the orientation determination unit with the orientation in which the speaker faces downward, and the speaker When it is determined to be downward, it outputs a command to output a large audio output,
The output processing unit outputs a sound output of a corresponding size in accordance with the command;
toy.
The toy according to claim 1 ,
The toy is determined by a triaxial acceleration sensor.
The toy according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The condition information section is a toy in which conditions and correspondences are set such that the degree of satisfaction or dissatisfaction increases with the passage of time.
The toy according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The toy, wherein the output data specifying unit can switch the output data to another voice series and output the output data of a predetermined voice series as time elapses.
The toy according to claim 4 ,
The speech sequence is obtained by synthesizing speech by synthesizing speech by using a speech synthesis engine of a first language to decompose a sentence of a second language into words and applying words of the first language whose pronunciation is close to the words. A toy having a voice output in the second language.
A toy according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
The said output data specific | specification part specifies the audio | voice whose pronunciation is not standard as identification information of the audio | voice data which should be output, when predetermined | prescribed time passes when the operation | movement which responds to the said toy request | requirement is not performed.
The toy according to any one of claims 1 to 6 ,
The output data specifying unit detects a user response to the request from the orientation determination unit, and outputs a command to increase the output size according to an elapsed time when the request is not satisfied,
The said output process part is a toy which outputs the audio | voice output of a magnitude | size corresponding according to the said command.