JP7134559B2 - Speech synthesis output device and speech synthesis output system - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD Embodiments of the present invention relate to a speech synthesis output device and a speech synthesis output system that output a voice message using alarm message information delivered by an alarm notification device.

In operating plants such as steel, when there is a situation that should alert workers, or when an abnormality occurs in equipment or processes, the information is displayed in text format on a monitoring terminal. there is In addition to such information display, a terminal dedicated to speech synthesis is separately prepared to output information by voice, thereby transmitting information in a wider range.

For example, Patent Literature 1 below proposes a method of combining fixed messages with values and situations that change according to the control or management status of a computer in a plant computer system, and outputting them as voice from a dedicated speech synthesis terminal. It is

JP-A-8-110795

The device disclosed in Document 1 requires a separate terminal dedicated to speech synthesis output, and is often difficult to retrofit to an existing system in operation. Moreover, when using a dedicated speech synthesis output terminal, it is often more difficult to set and control the content of speech output according to the situation in which the terminal is installed.

The embodiments of the present invention have been made to solve the above-described problems, and can be easily added to existing monitoring terminals, and can easily output content according to the installation status of the terminals. To provide a speech synthesis output device and a speech synthesis output system that can be set to

A speech synthesis output device according to an embodiment includes an alarm terminal display unit that functions to input alarm message information including information on the status of a process line and display the information as an image based on the alarm message information; A function to monitor the arrival of information and acquire the same alarm message information as the alarm message information received by the alarm terminal display unit so as to intercept the alarm message information from the alarm terminal display unit when the alarm message information is received. and the definition information defining the content of the process set according to the alarm message information is referred to, and the first data included in the alarm message information matches the second data included in the definition information. a data processing unit that selects the content of the processing associated with the second data and waits when the first data and the second data do not match; and an output data converter that functions to convert data about the content of the process into output data. The definition information includes at least one of a file name representing voice data, third data including arbitrary text data, and fourth data including arbitrary text data different from the third data, as the content of the processing. set. The data processing unit supplies the audio data having the file name to the output data conversion unit when the file name is set in the definition information, and the third data is set in the definition information. If the definition information is set to the fourth data, a second process associated with the fourth data is executed. to run. The first process is a process of supplying the first text data to the output data conversion unit when the alarm message information includes first text data associated with the first data, wherein the output data conversion is performed. The unit converts the first text data into a voice signal and outputs the voice signal. The second process is a process of supplying, to the output data conversion unit, first audio data selected in advance from among audio data preset in an operating system of a computer terminal into which the program is installed, wherein the output data The converter converts the supplied audio data into an audio signal and outputs the audio signal.

In this embodiment, since the monitoring unit and the data processing unit are provided, it can be easily added to the alarm message terminal unit, and alarm message information can be selectively output according to the installation status of the terminal. .

1 is a block diagram illustrating a speech synthesis output device according to a first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a speech synthesis output system according to a second embodiment; FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
Note that the drawings are schematic or conceptual, and the relationship between the thickness and width of each portion, the size ratio between portions, and the like are not necessarily the same as the actual ones. Also, even when the same parts are shown, the dimensions and ratios may be different depending on the drawing.
In addition, in the present specification and each figure, the same reference numerals are given to the same elements as those described above with respect to the previous figures, and detailed description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a speech synthesis output device according to this embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1 , the speech synthesis output device 2 of this embodiment is connected to the alarm notification device 1 via a communication network 20 . The alarm notification device 1 is, for example, a gateway server or the like used in a process control system using a control network. The alarm notification device 1 monitors the operation status of devices and devices connected to a control network (not shown) and the status of each process, and generates alarm message information 11 according to the status. The alarm notification device 1 distributes the generated alarm message information 11 to the speech synthesis output device 2 via the communication network 20 .

The communication network 20 is a general-purpose network such as Ethernet (registered trademark). In this example, the communication network having a predetermined communication protocol connects the alarm notification device 1 and the voice synthesis output device 2, but any other connecting means may be used to connect them. For example, hard wires may be used to connect between them to carry electrical signals of some type.

The alarm message information 11 includes text data. The text data includes alarm group names and alarm numbers. The group name represents the level of alarms generated by the alarm notification device 1 . Alarm level means the severity of the alarm. For example, the group names are "INF", "WAR", and "ERR", representing serious alarms in the order of "INF", "WAR", and "ERR". For example, "INF" is a degree of severity to notify the status of the process. "WAR" is the degree of seriousness, such as that the state of the process is different from the normal state, and is used when an operator's operation or confirmation is required. "ERR" is generated when the process deviates from the set conditions, etc., and may be accompanied by the stoppage of equipment and the like. It should be noted that these group names and their contents are only examples, and appropriate ones can be arbitrarily set according to the situation of the plant and the like.

A serial number is set as the alarm number, for example. The alarm number is set so as to correspond one-to-one with the content of processing in the speech synthesis output device 2 .

The alarm message information 11 may include arbitrary text data in addition to the above. Arbitrary text data is generated by the alarm notification device 1 according to the content of the alarm.

The speech synthesis output device 2 includes an alarm terminal display section 4 and a speech synthesis output section 5 . Alarm terminal display unit 4 is connected to communication network 20 and receives alarm message information 11 . The alarm terminal display unit 4 can output displayable data on the screen based on the data of the alarm message information 11 . Data that can be displayed is text data included in the alarm message information 11 . It is also possible to reproduce the voice of the alarm message after reproducing the chime set according to the group name.

The speech synthesis output device 2 is, for example, an HMI terminal. An HMI terminal provides a human-machine interface for setting equipment or devices for process control, or for setting processing of each process, monitoring the situation, and the like. This human-machine interface function is realized by software (program), for example. The HMI terminal is substantially a computer terminal installed with an HMI program. A computer terminal that implements the HMI terminal may be a personal computer, a server, or the like.

The alarm terminal display unit 4 and screen output described above, as well as each unit described below, are realized by one or more steps of a program executed by the operation of the CPU of the computer terminal constituting the HMI terminal.

For example, the speech synthesis output device 2 of the embodiment additionally introduces a program that realizes the function of the speech synthesis output unit 5 into an HMI terminal in which a program that realizes the functions of the alarm terminal display unit 4 and screen output has already been installed. It is realized by In other words, the speech synthesis output device 2 is realized by additionally introducing a program that implements a function for speech synthesis output, and upgrading an existing HMI terminal that displays alarm message information, for example.

The speech synthesis output unit 5 includes a monitoring unit 6 , a data processing unit 7 , a fixed speech storage unit 8 , definition information 9 and a speech synthesis unit 10 .

Monitoring unit 6 is connected to communication network 20 . The monitoring unit 6 constantly monitors alarm message information 11 transmitted over the communication network 20 . When the alarm message information 11 is transmitted and received by the alarm terminal display unit 4, the monitoring unit 6 acquires the alarm message information 11 by intercepting it. The monitoring unit 6 supplies the received alarm message information 11 to the data processing unit 7 .

After receiving the alarm message information 11 from the monitoring unit 6, the data processing unit 7 refers to the definition information 9 and determines the content of the process.

The definition information 9 includes an alarm number and processing details. The alarm number is a number included in the alarm message information 11. FIG. When a file name is set as the content of processing, the data processing section 7 refers to the fixed voice storage section 8 . If a file with the file name set in the fixed voice storage unit 8 exists, the data processing unit 7 selects the file and supplies it to the voice synthesizing unit (output data converting unit) 10 . The data processing unit 7 does not refer to the fixed voice storage unit 8 if the fixed voice storage unit 8 does not have a file with the set file name.

When arbitrary text data is set as the processing content of the definition information 9, the data processing unit 7 executes the processing defined for the text data.

Specifically, arbitrary text data is, for example, "space" (blank data for one character). When "space" is set in the processing content, the data processing unit 7 selects the text data contained in the alarm message information 11 without referring to the fixed voice storage unit 8, and outputs the data to the voice synthesizing unit. 10. When "@" is set in the processing content, the data processing unit 7 selects a preset voice data file from the OS (Operating System) of the voice synthesis output device 2, and downloads the file. Supplied to the speech synthesizing unit 10 . Assignment of these text data can be performed arbitrarily and is set in advance.

The content of the process does not have to be a single voice file or single text data, and may be set with multiple voice files or text data. One or more of both text data may be set. When a plurality of files or the like are set in the content of processing, the data processing unit 7 sequentially determines and executes the content of the set processing in that order.

The definition information 9 can be set for each terminal. On the other hand, assignment of text data and processing content in the processing content of the definition information 9 is set in common for terminals.

The speech synthesizing unit 10 converts the data supplied from the data processing unit 7 into an audio signal, performs appropriate processing such as amplification, and supplies the converted data (signal) to the audio output device 30 . The audio output device 30 is, for example, a speaker, headphones, or the like.

By providing a moving image processing and reproducing unit in place of the voice synthesizing unit 10 or together with the voice synthesizing unit 10, when a moving image file is set in the definition information, a moving image corresponding to the data of the moving image file is reproduced. can also

The operation of the speech synthesis output device 2 of this embodiment will be described.
The speech synthesis output device 2 of this embodiment receives alarm message information 11 supplied from the alarm notification device 1 .

The alarm message information 11 is input to the alarm terminal display section 4 .

When the alarm message information 11 contains text data, the alarm terminal display unit 4 outputs the text data on the screen. The data of the alarm message information 11 is, for example, "group name"_"alarm number"_"processing content"_ (hereinafter, "_" represents a space for one text character). It is configured. For example, after playing a chime set according to the group name, the voice of the alarm message may be played.

The monitoring unit 6 detects that the alarm terminal display unit 4 has received the alarm message information 11 . The monitoring unit 6 receives the alarm message information 11 and supplies it to the data processing unit 7 .

The data processing unit 7 acquires the alarm number of the alarm message information 11 and refers to the definition information 9 . When the alarm message information 11 is set to INF_1234_“the door is open”_, the data processing unit 7 checks whether or not the definition information 9 contains the processing content “1234”.

When the definition information 9 is set as "1234_fixed audio file 01.wav", the data processing unit 7 determines whether the file "fixed audio file 01.wav" exists in the fixed audio storage unit 8. Check no. When a file named “fixed audio file 01.wav” exists in the fixed audio storage unit 8 , the data processing unit 7 supplies (a copy of) the file to the audio synthesizing unit 10 . The voice synthesizing unit 10 executes "fixed voice file 01.wav".

If the file "fixed audio file 01.wav" does not exist in the fixed audio storage unit 8, the data processing unit 7 does nothing and waits.

If the definition information 9 is set to "1234____"), the data processing unit 7 reads the text data "the door is open" in the alarm message information 11, and supply to That is, the data processing unit 7 determines that the text data of the alarm message information 11 is the content of the process when "_" is set in the content of the process in the definition information 9 .

The speech synthesizing unit 10 speech-synthesizes the text data of "the door is open" and outputs it as speech data.

For the definition information 9, data can be set according to the installation situation of the speech synthesis output device 2 having the definition information 9. FIG. For example, when the voice synthesis output device 2 monitors the roughing mill, the definition information 9 may be set with data regarding the roughing mill to be monitored. On the other hand, the alarm notification device 1 can generate and transmit not only the alarm message information 11 to the voice synthesis output device 2 that monitors the roughing mill, but also any message to other devices.

The effects of the speech synthesis output device 2 of this embodiment will be described.
The speech synthesis output device 2 of this embodiment includes a speech synthesis output unit 5 . The speech synthesis output section 5 includes a monitoring section 6 . The monitoring unit 6 constantly monitors the alarm message information 11 transmitted to the alarm terminal display unit 4, and intercepts the alarm message information 11 from the alarm terminal display unit 4 when the alarm message information 11 is transmitted. to get. The voice synthesizing output unit 5 is, for example, a program module, so that the voice synthesizing output unit 5 can be easily introduced into an existing alarm terminal display device. In other words, it is realized by upgrading the existing HMI terminal without separately preparing a receiving terminal for the alarm message information 11 from the alarm notification device 1 or separately preparing a dedicated terminal for receiving the alarm message information 11. be able to.

The speech synthesis output unit 5 includes a data processing unit 7 that refers to definition information 9 . The data processing unit 7 refers to the definition information 9 according to the data representing the processing content included in the alarm message information 11 . Since the definition information 9 can be arbitrarily set, it is possible to output speech according to the situation in which the speech synthesis output device 2 is installed.

(Second embodiment)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the speech synthesis output system according to this embodiment.
In this embodiment, alarm message information 11 is transmitted from at least one alarm notification device to a plurality of speech synthesis output devices.
As shown in FIG. 2, the speech synthesis output system 100 includes an alarm notification device 1 and a plurality of speech synthesis output devices 2a, 2b, and 2c. Alarm notification device 1 and a plurality of voice synthesis output devices 2 a , 2 b , 2 c are connected by communication network 20 .

The speech synthesis output devices 2a-2c include speech synthesis output units 5a-5c, respectively. The speech synthesis output units 5a-5c respectively include definition information 9a-9c. The speech synthesis output devices 2a to 2c, the speech synthesis output units 5a to 5c, and the definition information 9a to 9c are the same as the speech synthesis output device 2, the speech synthesis output unit 5, and the definition information 9 in the other embodiments described above. are the same. However, the definition information 9a-9c can be defined as different data depending on the speech synthesis output devices 2a-2c. Other components are the same as those of the above-described other embodiments, so descriptions thereof will be omitted.

In this example, an audio signal amplifier 130 is connected to the audio synthesis output device 2 c instead of the audio output device 30 , and the audio signal amplifier 130 drives a speaker 132 . For example, a speaker 132 driven by an audio signal amplifier 130 is installed at the plant site. The voice synthesis output device 2c amplifies the voice synthesis output to a level that all workers working in the plant can hear the voice, and outputs the amplified voice.

The speech synthesis output devices 2a-2c contain definition information 9a-9c containing different data, respectively. The speech synthesis output units 5a-5c can select processing according to the definition information 9a-9c, respectively.

For example, the voice synthesis output device 2a is an HMI terminal operated by an operator who monitors the heating furnace during the rolling process. The voice synthesis output device 2a outputs data on the heating furnace by voice to inform the operating operator. The voice synthesis output device 2b is an HMI terminal operated by an operator who monitors the roughing mill. The voice synthesis output device 2b outputs data on the roughing mill by voice to inform the operator in charge of the operation. The voice synthesis output device 2c is an HMI terminal operated by an operator who monitors the finishing mill. The voice synthesizing output device 2c outputs the data about the finishing mill by voice, notifying the operator in charge of the operation, and notifying all the workers on site.

Regardless of the definition information 9a-9c of the voice synthesis output devices 2a-2c, the alarm notification device 1 transmits the same alarm message information 11 to all the voice synthesis output devices 2a-2c. Upon receiving the alarm message information 11, the speech synthesis output devices 2a-2c interpret the alarm message information 11 based on the respective definition information 9a-9c, perform appropriate speech synthesis processing, and output speech.

It goes without saying that the role of each of the speech synthesis output devices 2a to 2c is an example, and is not limited to the above example.

Thus, in the speech synthesis output system 100 of this embodiment, by setting different definition information 9a to 9c in the same speech synthesis output units 5a to 5c, other configurations of the speech synthesis output devices 2a to 2c are changed. However, the roles of the speech synthesis output devices 2a to 2c can be changed. Therefore, different speech synthesis output devices 2a to 2c can be easily realized according to each process of the plant and the contents of monitoring.

According to the embodiments described above, the speech synthesis output device and speech synthesis output can be easily added to an existing monitoring terminal, and the content to be output can be easily set according to the installation status of the terminal. system can be realized.

Although several embodiments of the invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included within the scope of the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof. Moreover, each of the above-described embodiments can be implemented in combination with each other.

1 alarm notification device, 2, 2a, 2b, 2c voice synthesis output device, 4 alarm terminal display unit, 5, 5a, 5b, 5c voice synthesis output unit, 6 monitoring unit, 7 data processing unit, 8 fixed voice storage unit, 9, 9a, 9b, 9c definition information, 10 speech synthesizer, 11 alarm message information, 20 communication network, 30 audio output device, 130 audio signal amplifier, 132 speaker

Claims (4)

an alarm terminal display unit that functions to input alarm message information including information on the status of the process line and display the information as an image based on the alarm message information;
An incoming call of the alarm message information is monitored, and when the alarm message information arrives, the same alarm message information as the alarm message information received by the alarm terminal display unit is acquired so as to intercept the alarm message information from the alarm terminal display unit. a monitoring unit that functions to
With reference to definition information that defines the content of processing set according to the alarm message information, if the first data included in the alarm message information matches the second data included in the definition information, the a data processing unit that selects the content of the processing associated with two pieces of data and waits when the first data and the second data do not match;
an output data conversion unit that functions to convert data about the content of the selected process into output data;
with a program containing
The definition information includes at least one of a file name representing voice data, third data including arbitrary text data, and fourth data including arbitrary text data different from the third data, as the content of the processing. is set and
The data processing unit supplies the audio data having the file name to the output data conversion unit when the file name is set in the definition information, and the third data is set in the definition information. If the definition information is set to the fourth data, a second process associated with the fourth data is executed. and run
The first process is a process of supplying the first text data to the output data conversion unit when the alarm message information includes first text data associated with the first data, wherein the output data conversion is performed. a unit converts the first text data into a voice signal and outputs the voice signal;
The second process is a process of supplying, to the output data conversion unit, first audio data selected in advance from among audio data preset in an operating system of a computer terminal into which the program is installed, wherein the output data A conversion unit is a speech synthesis output device that converts the supplied speech data into a speech signal and outputs the speech signal. The content of the processing includes processing of video data,
2. The speech synthesis output device according to claim 1 , wherein said output data conversion unit functions to convert said moving image data into a video signal. a first alarm terminal display unit that functions to input alarm message information including information on the status of the process line and display the information as an image based on the alarm message information;
An alarm message that is the same as the alarm message information received by the first alarm terminal display unit so as to monitor arrival of the alarm message information and intercept the alarm message information from the first alarm terminal display unit when the alarm message information is received. a first monitoring unit operable to obtain information;
By referring to the first definition information defining the first processing content which is the content of the processing set according to the alarm message information, the first data included in the alarm message information and the second data included in the first definition information are referred to. the first data functioning to select the first processing content associated with the second data when the data match, and wait when the first data and the second data do not match a processing unit;
a first output data conversion unit that functions to convert data related to the selected first processing content into first output data;
a first speech synthesis output device comprising a first program containing
a second alarm terminal display unit that functions to input the alarm message information and display the information as an image based on the alarm message information;
An alarm message that is the same as the alarm message information received by the second alarm terminal display unit so as to monitor arrival of the alarm message information and intercept the alarm message information from the second alarm terminal display unit when the alarm message information is received. a second monitoring unit operable to obtain information;
By referring to the second definition information defining the second processing content which is the content of the processing set according to the alarm message information, the third data included in the alarm message information and the fourth data included in the second definition information are referred to. second data functioning to select the second processing content associated with the fourth data when the data match, and wait when the third data and the fourth data do not match a processing unit;
a second output data conversion unit that functions to convert data about the selected second processing content into second output data;
a second speech synthesis output device comprising a second program containing
with
The first definition information includes, as the first processing contents , a file name representing voice data, fifth data including arbitrary text data, and sixth data including arbitrary text data different from the fifth data. at least one of
When the file name is set in the first definition information, the first data processing unit supplies audio data having the file name to the first output data conversion unit, is set to the fifth data, the first process pre-associated with the fifth data is executed, and if the sixth data is set to the first definition information, the perform a second process associated with the sixth data;
The first process is a process of supplying the first text data to the first output data conversion unit when the alarm message information includes first text data associated with the first data, 1 output data conversion unit converts the first text data into a voice signal and outputs the voice signal;
The second process is a process of supplying, to the first output data conversion section, first audio data selected in advance from among audio data preset in an operating system of the first computer terminal into which the first program is installed. wherein the first output data conversion unit is a speech synthesis output system that converts the supplied speech data into a speech signal and outputs the speech signal. The first definition information and the second definition information are different data of the first processing content and the second processing depending on the situation in which the first speech synthesis output device and the second speech synthesis output device are installed. 4. A speech synthesis output system according to claim 3 , wherein each of the speech synthesis outputs includes content data.

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