JP7513295B2 - Notification device, notification method, notification program, and terminal program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a notification device, a notification method, a notification program, and a terminal program.

A service called a wake-up call allows the user to wake up at a time of their choice by having someone else call them at that time. There are also systems that make wake-up calls automatically without relying on others (for example, Patent Document 1), which allows a wake-up call to be made at the correct time every day without bothering others. Furthermore, with the technology described in Patent Document 1, a call is made in the voice of a voice actor specified by the user at the time specified by the user. This allows the user to wake up without feeling bored.

JP 2012-129663 A

However, simply waking up a user with a wake-up call does not allow the user to know his or her schedule or events for the day. To find out this information, the user must operate a terminal device such as a smartphone after waking up, which can be inconvenient for the user.

The present invention was made in light of this current situation, and aims to improve user convenience.

This application includes multiple means for solving at least some of the above problems, examples of which are as follows:

To solve the above problem, a notification device according to one aspect of the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires distribution information from a first server at a scheduled time designated by a user or a time a predetermined time before the scheduled time, a voice synthesis unit that generates an audio file by voice-synthesizing at least a part of the distribution information, an instruction unit that instructs a second server to notify or call a terminal device used by the user after the audio file is generated, and a transmission unit that transmits the audio file to an external device in response to a request to acquire the audio file notified from an external device that is either the terminal device or the second server.

The delivery information may be information indicating at least one schedule of the user for the day including the scheduled time.

The schedule can be all of the user's schedules for the day, or a pre-specified number of the user's schedules.

The acquisition unit can acquire a token corresponding to the user for accessing the first server from the terminal device, transmit the token to the first server, and acquire the distribution information indicating the schedule related to the user from the first server when the first server successfully verifies the token.

The distribution information may be information indicating at least one news item that has been distributed by the scheduled time.

The news can be the top news at the scheduled time, or a pre-specified number of news items.

The news may be of a genre that the user has specified in advance.

The device further includes a storage unit that stores the audio file, and the transmission unit can transmit the same audio file stored in the storage unit to each of the multiple external devices when the acquisition request is received from the multiple external devices.

The device may further include a storage unit that stores multiple pieces of alarm information for one user, the alarm information including the scheduled time and the name of the character that produces the sound in the sound file.

The acquisition unit acquires the distribution information from the first server at the scheduled time included in the alarm information selected by the user from among the plurality of alarm information or at the time the predetermined time before the scheduled time, and the voice synthesis unit generates the voice file by voice synthesizing at least a portion of the distribution information with the voice of the character included in the alarm information selected by the user from among the plurality of alarm information.

In another aspect of the present invention, a notification method includes a computer that executes the following steps when a scheduled time designated by a user or a time a predetermined time before the scheduled time arrives: acquiring distribution information from a first server; a voice synthesis unit that generates an audio file by voice-synthesizing at least a part of the distribution information; instructing a second server to notify or call a terminal device used by the user after generating the audio file; and transmitting the audio file to an external device in response to a request to acquire the audio file notified from an external device that is either the terminal device or the second server.

A notification program according to yet another aspect of the present invention causes a computer to execute the steps of: acquiring distribution information from a first server at a scheduled time designated by a user or a time a predetermined time before the scheduled time; a voice synthesis unit generating an audio file by voice-synthesizing at least a portion of the distribution information; instructing a second server to notify or call a terminal device used by the user after generating the audio file; and transmitting the audio file to an external device in response to a request to acquire the audio file notified from an external device, which is either the terminal device or the second server.

A terminal program according to another aspect of the present invention includes the steps of: in response to a notification from a server, displaying on a display unit an incoming call screen including a button for responding to the notification; in response to an operation of the button, acquiring from a notification device an audio file that is a voice synthesis of at least a part of distribution information; and playing the acquired audio file.
The terminal device executes the above.

The present invention can improve user convenience.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration diagram of a notification system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the data structure of user information and alarm information. 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams showing examples of application screens displayed on the display unit of a terminal device. FIG. 4 is an example sequence diagram of the notification method according to the first embodiment when the alarm type is voice. FIG. 5 is an example sequence diagram of the notification method according to the first embodiment when the alarm type is a calendar. FIG. 6 is an example of a sequence diagram of the notification method according to the first embodiment when the alarm type is news. FIG. 7A is a diagram showing an example of an incoming call screen, and FIG. 7B is a diagram showing an example of a call screen. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration diagram of a notification system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is an example sequence diagram of the notification method according to the second embodiment when the alarm type is voice. FIG. 10 is an example sequence diagram of the notification method according to the second embodiment when the alarm type is a calendar. FIG. 11 is an example of a sequence diagram of the notification method according to the second embodiment when the alarm type is news. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a notification device according to the first and second embodiments. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a terminal device according to the first and second embodiments.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all drawings for describing an embodiment, the same components are generally given the same reference numerals, and repeated description will be omitted. In the following embodiments, the components (including element steps, etc.) are not necessarily essential, unless otherwise specified or considered to be obviously essential in principle. In addition, when "consists of A," "consists of A," "has A," or "includes A," it goes without saying that other elements are not excluded, except when it is specifically specified that only that element is included. Similarly, in the following embodiments, when referring to the shape, positional relationship, etc. of components, etc., it includes those that are substantially similar or similar to the shape, etc., except when it is specifically specified or considered to be obviously not essential in principle.

First Embodiment
1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration diagram of a notification system according to the present embodiment. The notification system 1 is a system that issues a notification, such as a wake-up call, to a terminal device of a user when a scheduled time approaches.

As an example, the notification system 1 includes a notification device 2, a terminal device 3, a push notification server 4, a news distribution server 5, and a calendar service server 6. These devices are connected to each other via a network 7 such as the Internet.

The terminal device 3 is a mobile terminal such as a smartphone operated by a user U, and includes a processing unit 3a, a communication unit 3b, an input unit 3c, a display unit 3d, and an output unit 3e.

The processing unit 3a is a functional unit that is realized by the terminal device 3 executing a terminal program (app) that performs a wake-up call or the like for the user U. The communication unit 3b is a communication interface for connecting the terminal device 3 to the network 7. The input unit 3c is, for example, a touch panel, and is hardware that accepts input operations from the user. The display unit 3d is, for example, a display such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) panel integrated with a touch sensor. The output unit 3e is a speaker that outputs sound.

For example, when a user performs an input operation such as a tap operation or a swipe operation on the input unit 3c in order to edit various information stored in the notification device 2, the processing unit 3a notifies the notification device 2 of the input operation via the network 7. Upon receiving the notification, the notification device 2 edits various information stored in the device in accordance with the input operation.

The notification device 2 is a computer such as a physical server or a virtual server, and includes a processing unit 11, a memory unit 12, and a communication unit 13. The processing unit 11 is a functional unit that controls each unit of the notification device 2. For example, the processing unit 11 includes a setting registration unit 14, an alarm execution control unit 15, a calendar acquisition unit 16, a news acquisition unit 17, a voice synthesis unit 18, an instruction unit 19, and a transmission unit 20.

The setting registration unit 14 is a functional unit that sets user information 21 and alarm information 22 and registers them in the memory unit 12.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the data structure of user information 21 and alarm information 22.

The user information 21 is information related to a user U who operates the terminal device 3. Here, an application ID, a user name, an access token, and a refresh token are stored in the user information 21. The application ID is an identifier that uniquely identifies a terminal program (application) executed by the terminal device 3. The user name is the user's name or nickname. The access token is a character string that the calendar service server 6 uses to verify the authenticity of the notification device 2 when the notification device 2 obtains schedule information including the schedule of the user U from the calendar service server 6. The refresh token is a character string that is used when updating the access token.

Alarm information 22 is information about alarms such as wake-up calls. For example, alarm information 22 includes the alarm name, alarm type, schedule, and character name.

The alarm name is a name given by the user to distinguish between multiple alarms.

The alarm type is information that specifies which type of alarm is the voice, calendar, or news. The voice type is when the terminal device 3 outputs a voice that only informs that the scheduled time has arrived. The calendar type is when the terminal device 3 outputs a voice that not only informs that the scheduled time has arrived, but also informs the user U of the schedule for that day. The news type is when the terminal device 3 outputs a voice that not only informs that the scheduled time has arrived, but also informs the news for that day.

The schedule, on the other hand, is the day of the week and the scheduled time that the alarm will go off, such as 7:00 AM on Monday. The character name is the name of the character that will make the alarm sound.

In this embodiment, one piece of user information 21 is associated with one user U. Then, multiple pieces of alarm information 22 are associated with one piece of user information, allowing the user U to select from multiple pieces of alarm information 22. This allows the user to select a preferred character name from among the character names of the multiple pieces of alarm information 22, and to receive notifications such as wake-up calls in the voice of that character.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the alarm execution control unit 15 monitors whether the current time is approaching the scheduled time indicated in the schedule of the alarm information 22 selected by the user U from among the multiple alarm information 22. For example, when the scheduled time arrives or a predetermined time before the scheduled time, the alarm execution control unit 15 causes the calendar acquisition unit 16, news acquisition unit 17, voice synthesis unit 18, instruction unit 19, and transmission unit 20 to start processing. The predetermined time can be set taking into account delays due to processing and communication so that sound is output from the terminal device 3 at the scheduled time.

The calendar acquisition unit 16 is a functional unit that acquires schedule information indicating at least one schedule of the user U for the current day, including the scheduled time, from the calendar service server 6. Note that schedule information is an example of distribution information.

The schedule information may indicate all of the user U's schedules for the day, or may indicate a number of schedules specified in advance by the user U.

The user's schedule information is highly confidential information that includes the actions of the user U. Therefore, prior to acquiring the schedule information, the calendar acquisition unit 16 acquires an access token for accessing the calendar service server 6 in advance. The access token is acquired based on OAuth, for example, as follows.

First, the processing unit 3a of the terminal device 3 displays a screen including a link button (not shown) on the display unit 3d.

When the processing unit 3a detects that the user U has tapped the link button, the processing unit 3a launches a web browser, and the web browser redirects the user to the calendar service server 6.

Next, the user U operates the input unit 3c to input a user name and password into the web browser. The calendar service server 6 authenticates the user U based on the user name and password.

If the authentication is successful, the calendar service server 6 issues an authorization code corresponding to the user name, and the web browser redirects to a specified URL along with the authorization code.

Then, the processing unit 3a transmits the authorization code to the calendar service server 6. Upon receiving the authorization code, the calendar service server 6 transmits an access token and a refresh token to the processing unit 3a. The access token is a token required to access the calendar service server 6, and is associated with the user name.

Next, the processing unit 3a passes the access token and refresh token to the notification device 2, each associated with the user name.

Then, the setting registration unit 14 of the notification device 2 stores the access token and refresh token in the user information 21 corresponding to the passed user name.

This completes the basic processing performed by the calendar acquisition unit 16 to acquire an access token. After this, the calendar acquisition unit 16 sends the access token corresponding to user U to the calendar service server 6. Then, when the calendar service server 6 successfully verifies the access token, the calendar acquisition unit 16 can acquire the schedule information of user U from the calendar service server 6.

Returning to the description of each part of the processing unit 11, the news acquisition unit 17 is a functional unit that acquires news information indicating at least one news item that has been distributed by the scheduled time from the news distribution server 5. The news information is an example of distribution information.

The news indicated by the news information may be the top news at the scheduled time, or may be a number of news items designated in advance by the user U. Furthermore, the news indicated by the news information may be news of a genre designated in advance by the user U. Examples of genres include sports, politics, and economics.

The voice synthesis unit 18 is a functional unit that generates a voice file by synthesizing at least a part of each of the schedule information or news information, and stores it in the storage unit 12 as temporary synthesized voice information 24. For example, the voice synthesis unit 18 identifies the alarm information 22 selected by the user U from among multiple pieces of alarm information 22, and performs voice synthesis using the voice of the character with the character name included in that alarm information 22.

The voice synthesis unit 18 may also synthesize a predetermined template sentence in the voice of a character, and store it in the storage unit 12 as template synthetic voice information 23. Template sentences include, for example, a sentence such as "It is now xx:xx time" that informs the user that a scheduled time has arrived, and a greeting such as "Good morning." The voice synthesis unit 18 may also synthesize the user name included in the user information 21 in the voice of a character, and store it in the storage unit 12 as template synthetic voice information 23. The synthetic voice of the user name can be used to call out to the user.

The voice synthesis unit 18 names these voice files and stores them in the storage unit 12 so that the template synthetic voice information 23 and the temporary synthetic voice information 24 can be distinguished from each other.

The instruction unit 19 is a functional unit that instructs the push notification server 4 to send a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) push notification to the terminal device 3. For example, when the temporary synthetic voice information 24 is used, the instruction unit 19 notifies the push notification server 4 of the instruction after the temporary synthetic voice information 24 is generated.

The transmitting unit 20 is a functional unit that transmits an audio file to the terminal device 3 in response to a request to acquire an audio file notified from the terminal device 3, which is an external device. For example, when the transmitting unit 20 is notified of a request to acquire template synthesized voice information 23 from the terminal device 3, the transmitting unit 20 transmits template synthesized voice information 23 to the terminal device 3. In addition, when the transmitting unit 20 is notified of a request to acquire temporary synthesized voice information 24 from the terminal device 3, the transmitting unit 20 transmits temporary synthesized voice information 24 to the terminal device 3.

The storage unit 12 is a functional unit that stores each of the above-mentioned user information 21, alarm information 22, template synthetic voice information 23, and temporary synthetic voice information 24. Note that at least a portion of each piece of information 21 to 24 may be stored in a storage unit on a computer or cloud separate from the notification device 2.

The communication unit 13 is an interface for connecting the notification device 2 to the network 7.

On the other hand, the push notification server 4 is an example of a second server, and is a computer such as a physical server or a virtual server that sends VoIP push notifications to the terminal device 3 in response to instructions from the notification device 2. For example, a server for APNs, which is a push notification service from Apple (registered trademark), can be used as the push notification server 4.

The news distribution server 5 is a computer such as a physical server or a virtual server for providing a news distribution service, and distributes the day's news to the notification device 2 in response to a request from the notification device 2.

The calendar service server 6 is a computer such as a physical server or a virtual server for providing a calendar service. An example of a calendar service is Google Calendar provided by Google (registered trademark).

Note that the news distribution server 5 and the calendar service server 6 are both examples of the first server.

Next, a method for the user U to edit the alarm information 22 will be described. The user U can edit the alarm information 22 by performing the following input operations on the terminal device 3.

Figures 3(a) and (b) are schematic diagrams showing examples of app screens displayed on the display unit 3d of the terminal device 3. These screens are generated by the processing unit 3a.

Figure 3(a) shows an example of the home screen 30 of the app. The home screen 30 displays a character 31, a settings button 32, and an alarm registration button 33.

The character 31 is a character corresponding to the character name of the alarm information 22 selected by the user U. For example, the processing unit 3a of the terminal device 3 acquires the alarm information 22 selected by the user U from the notification device 2, and displays the character corresponding to the character name of the alarm information 22 on the display unit 3d. Note that image data of the character may be stored in advance in the storage unit of the terminal device 3. Alternatively, image data of the character may be stored in advance in the storage unit 12 of the notification device 2, and the processing unit 3a may acquire the image data.

The setting button 32 is a button that displays a setting screen for setting the user information 21. The user U can set the user name of the user information 21 by operating the setting screen. The application ID of the user information 21 is notified from the processing unit 3a to the setting registration unit 14 when a terminal program (application) is installed on the terminal device 3, and the setting registration unit 14 stores the application ID 21 in the user information 21.

The alarm registration button 33 is a button for displaying the alarm registration screen.

Figure 3 (b) is a diagram showing an example of an alarm registration screen 35. The alarm registration screen 35 displays a time setting item 36, a day of the week setting item 37, an alarm name setting item 38, and an alarm type setting item 39.

The time setting item 36 is an item for setting the scheduled time for the alarm to go off. The day of the week setting item 37 is an item for setting the day of the week for the alarm to go off. The scheduled time set in the time setting item 36 and the day of the week set in the day of the week setting item 37 form the schedule in the alarm information 22.

The alarm name setting item 38 is an item for setting the alarm name in the alarm information 22.

The alarm type setting item 39 is an item for setting the alarm type in the alarm information 22, such as voice, calendar, and news.

In addition, an item for setting the character name of the alarm information 22 may be displayed on the alarm registration screen 35.

The processing unit 3a of the terminal device 3 notifies the notification device 2 of the contents of these items 36 to 39 on the alarm registration screen 35. The setting registration unit 14 that receives the notification stores the contents of each of the items 36 to 39 in the alarm information 22.

The processing unit 3a may display an alarm selection screen on the display unit 3d in addition to the home screen 30 and the alarm registration screen 35. In the alarm selection screen, the user U selects one of the multiple alarms registered in the alarm registration screen 35. The alarm selection screen may allow the multiple alarms registered in the alarm registration screen 35 to be turned on/off individually. In this case, the multiple alarms that are turned on can be used in combination. The processing unit 3a then notifies the notification device 2 of the alarm selected by the user U. The setting registration unit 14, which has received this notification, sets a flag for information corresponding to the alarm selected by the user among the multiple alarm information 22. This allows the alarm execution control unit 15 to identify the alarm information 22 corresponding to the alarm selected by the user U.

Next, we will explain the notification method according to this embodiment. Below, we will explain the notification method for each alarm type: voice, calendar, and news.

<Voice>
FIG. 4 is an example sequence diagram of a notification method according to the present embodiment when the alarm type is voice.

First, the alarm execution control unit 15 monitors the schedule (step S10). For example, the alarm execution control unit 15 refers to the alarm information 22 selected by the user U from among the multiple pieces of alarm information 22, and specifies that the alarm type of that alarm information 22 is voice. Furthermore, the alarm execution control unit 15 specifies the day of the week and the scheduled time included in the schedule of that alarm information 22. Then, the alarm execution control unit 15 monitors whether it has reached the scheduled time for that day, or a predetermined time before the scheduled time.

Then, when the scheduled time arrives or a predetermined time before the scheduled time, the alarm execution control unit 15 causes the instruction unit 19 to start processing. As a result, the instruction unit 19 instructs the push notification server 4 to send a VoIP push notification to the terminal device 3 (step S12). The instruction unit 19 also identifies the name of the character included in the alarm information 22 selected by the user U, and notifies the push notification server 4 of the name of the voice file of the template synthesized voice information 23 that was synthesized with the voice of the character. For example, if the scheduled time is 7:00, the instruction unit 19 notifies the push notification server 4 of the voice file in which the character says "It's 7 o'clock." Furthermore, the instruction unit 19 notifies the push notification server 4 of the app ID included in the user information 21.

Next, the push notification server 4 sends a VoIP push notification to the terminal device 3 (step S14). At this time, the push notification server 4 notifies the terminal device 3 of the name of the audio file and the application ID acquired from the instruction unit 19.

Next, the processing unit 3a of the terminal device 3 displays an incoming call screen on the display unit 3d (step S16). For example, if the terminal device 3 is an iPhone (registered trademark) manufactured by Apple Inc., the OS (Operating System) of the terminal device 3 first detects that a VoIP push notification has been sent to the device based on the app ID, and starts the terminal program (app) corresponding to the app ID. The terminal program then calls CallKit and causes CallKit to display the incoming call screen. Note that CallKit is a framework that allows terminal programs (apps) to use the user interface required for making calls using VoIP.

Figure 7 (a) is a diagram showing an example of an incoming call screen displayed in step S16. As shown in Figure 7 (a), an incoming call screen 41 displays a reject button 42 and an answer button 43. The reject button 42 is a button for rejecting a response to a VoIP push notification. The answer button 43 is a button for responding to the VoIP push notification and making a call.

Referring again to FIG. 4, next, when the user U taps the answer button 43 (step S18), the processing unit 3a displays a call screen on the display unit 3d (step S20). As an example, the tap operation of the answer button 43 on the incoming call screen is notified to the terminal program via CallKit, and in response, the terminal program calls CallKit and causes CallKit to display the call screen.

Figure 7 (b) is a diagram showing an example of a call screen displayed in step S18. As shown in Figure 7 (b), a hang up button 46 is displayed on the call screen 45. The hang up button 46 is a button for ending the call.

Referring again to FIG. 4, next, in response to a tap operation on the response button 43, the processing unit 3a of the terminal device 3 notifies the notification device 2 of a request to acquire the audio file (step S22). At this time, the processing unit 3a notifies the notification device 2 of the name of the audio file notified in step S14, together with a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) indicating the location where the audio file is stored in the storage unit 12 of the notification device 2. The URL is stored in the storage unit (not shown) of the terminal device 3, for example, when a terminal program (app) is installed in the terminal device 3.

Next, the transmission unit 20 of the notification device 2 transmits an audio file of the notified name stored in the notified URL to the terminal device 3 (step S24).

Next, the processing unit 3a of the terminal device 3 generates a voice by playing back the voice file, and the output unit 3e outputs the voice (step S26). The voice is a voice in which a character with a character name specified by the user U reads out a template sentence such as "It's 7 o'clock."

Then, the user U taps the end button 46 on the call screen 45 (step S28), and the processing unit 3a hides the call screen 45 (step S30).

This completes the basic steps of the notification method according to this embodiment when the alarm type is voice.

According to this notification method, when the scheduled time approaches, a VoIP push notification is sent from the push notification server 4 to the terminal device 3 (step S14), and when the user U taps the response button 43 to respond to the notification, the voice of a character with a character name designated by the user U is output (step S26). As a result, wake-up calls and the like can be made in a voice of the user U's preference, providing a mechanism that the user U will not tire of.

<Calendar>
FIG. 5 is an example sequence diagram of a notification method according to this embodiment when the alarm type is a calendar alarm.

First, the alarm execution control unit 15 monitors the schedule (step S30). For example, the alarm execution control unit 15 refers to the alarm information 22 selected by the user U from among the multiple pieces of alarm information 22, and identifies that the alarm type of that alarm information 22 is calendar. Furthermore, the alarm execution control unit 15 identifies the day of the week and the scheduled time included in the schedule of that alarm information 22. Then, the alarm execution control unit 15 monitors whether it has reached the scheduled time for that day, or a predetermined time before the scheduled time.

Then, when the scheduled time arrives or a time a predetermined time before the scheduled time arrives, the alarm execution control unit 15 causes the calendar acquisition unit 16 to start processing. As a result, the calendar acquisition unit 16 notifies the calendar service server 6 of a request to acquire schedule information (step S32), and acquires the schedule information from the calendar service server 6 (step S34).

Next, the voice synthesis unit 18 generates a voice file by voice-synthesizing at least a portion of the schedule information as temporary synthesized voice information 24, gives the voice file a name, and stores it in the storage unit 12 (step S36).

After this, steps S12 to S30 are carried out in the same way as in the voice case of Figure 4, completing the basic steps of the notification method according to this embodiment when the alarm type is calendar.

According to this notification method, when the scheduled time approaches, the voice synthesis unit 18 generates temporary synthetic voice information 24 by synthesizing the scheduled information (step S36), and when the user responds (step S18), the terminal device 3 plays the temporary synthetic voice information 24 (step S26). The scheduled information is information indicating the user U's schedule for the day, including the scheduled time, as described above. Therefore, by listening to the played voice, the user U can not only know that the scheduled time has arrived, but also know his or her schedule for the day, improving convenience for the user U.

As described above, by storing all of the user U's plans for the day as plan information, the user U can grasp all of the plans for the day at once. Also, by storing the number of plans specified in advance by the user U as plan information as described above, the playback time is shorter than when listening to all plans, and the waiting time for the user U to finish listening to the plans can be reduced. The same applies to the second embodiment described below.

＜News＞
FIG. 6 is an example sequence diagram of a notification method according to the present embodiment when the alarm type is news.

First, the alarm execution control unit 15 monitors the schedule (step S40). For example, the alarm execution control unit 15 refers to the alarm information 22 selected by the user U from among the multiple pieces of alarm information 22, and specifies that the alarm type of that alarm information 22 is news. Furthermore, the alarm execution control unit 15 specifies the day of the week and the scheduled time included in the schedule of that alarm information 22. Then, the alarm execution control unit 15 monitors whether it has reached the scheduled time for that day, or a predetermined time before the scheduled time.

Then, when the scheduled time arrives or a time a predetermined time before the scheduled time arrives, the alarm execution control unit 15 causes the news acquisition unit 17 to start processing. As a result, the news acquisition unit 17 notifies the news distribution server 5 of a request to acquire news information (step S42), and acquires news information from the news distribution server 5 (step S44).

Next, the voice synthesis unit 18 generates a voice file by voice-synthesizing at least a portion of the news information as temporary synthesized voice information 24, gives the voice file a name, and stores it in the memory unit 12 (step S46).

After this, steps S12 to S30 are carried out in the same way as in the voice case of Figure 4, completing the basic steps of the notification method according to this embodiment when the alarm type is news.

According to this notification method, when the scheduled time approaches, the voice synthesis unit 18 generates temporary synthetic voice information 24 by synthesizing news information (step S46), and when the user responds (step S18), the terminal device 3 plays the temporary synthetic voice information 24 (step S26). Therefore, by listening to the played voice, the user U can not only be informed that the scheduled time has arrived, but also find out about the news of the day, improving the convenience for the user U.

As described above, by setting the top news at the scheduled time as the news information, user U can immediately check the top news that is of high importance. Also, by setting the number of news items designated in advance by user U as the news information as described above, the playback time is shorter than when listening to all news, and the waiting time for user U to finish listening to the news can be reduced. Furthermore, by setting the news information to news from a genre designated in advance by user U as described above, user U can know only the news that interests him/her. This is also true in the second embodiment described below.

Furthermore, news is not information specific to each user, like user U's schedule, but is information that can be shared by multiple users. Therefore, when multiple terminal devices 3 notify a request to obtain an audio file in step S22, the transmission unit 20 may transmit the same audio file stored in the memory unit 12 as temporary synthesized audio information 24 in step S46 to the multiple terminal devices 3 in step S24. In other words, the audio file of the synthesized news is cached and reused among multiple users. This eliminates the need for the audio synthesis unit 18 to generate an audio file for each of the multiple terminal devices 3, and reduces waste of computational resources in the notification device 2. The same applies to the second embodiment described below.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the operation is described for each of the voice, calendar, and news alarm times, but these alarm types may be combined. For example, the calendar acquisition unit 16 of the notification device 2 may acquire calendar information from the calendar service server 6, and the news acquisition unit 17 may acquire news information from the news distribution server 5. In this case, the voice synthesis unit 18 of the notification device 2 generates temporary synthetic voice information 24 by synthesizing at least a portion of each of the calendar information and news information. Then, the terminal device 3 plays back the temporary synthetic voice information 24, allowing the user U to know both the schedule and news for the day at the same time, further improving the convenience of the user U. This is also true for the second embodiment described below.

Second Embodiment
In the first embodiment, when the scheduled time approaches, the push notification server 4 sends a VoIP push notification to the terminal device 3. In contrast, in the present embodiment, when the scheduled time approaches, a call is made to the terminal device 3 via the telephone network as follows.

Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration diagram of a notification system according to this embodiment. Note that in Figure 8, the same elements as those described in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and their description will be omitted below.

The notification system 1 includes a telephone server 51 instead of the push notification server 4 (see FIG. 1) of the first embodiment. The telephone server 51 is an example of a second server, and is a computer such as a physical server or a virtual server for providing a cloud telephone service. Examples of such cloud telephone services include Amazon Connect and Twilio. The telephone server 51 is connected to the terminal device 3 via a telephone network 52.

In addition, in this embodiment, the instruction unit 19 of the notification device 2 instructs the telephone server 51 to make a call. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the telephone number of the terminal device 3 is stored in the user information 21.

Then, when the transmission unit 20 is notified of a request to obtain template synthetic voice information 23 from the telephone server 51, which is an external device, the transmission unit 20 transmits the template synthetic voice information 23 to the telephone server 51. In addition, when the transmission unit 20 is notified of a request to obtain temporary synthetic voice information 24 from the telephone server 51, the transmission unit 20 transmits the temporary synthetic voice information 24 to the telephone server 51.

Next, we will explain the notification method according to this embodiment for each alarm type: voice, calendar, and news.

<Voice>
FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram of the notification method according to this embodiment when the alarm type is voice.

First, the alarm execution control unit 15 monitors the schedule (step S50). Note that the processing in this step is the same as that in step S10, so a detailed description of it will be omitted.

Then, at the scheduled time or a time a predetermined time before the scheduled time, the alarm execution control unit 15 causes the instruction unit 19 to start processing. As a result, the instruction unit 19 instructs the telephone server 51 to make a call to the terminal device 3 via the telephone network 52 (step S52). At this time, the instruction unit 19 identifies the name of the character included in the alarm information 22 selected by the user U. The instruction unit 19 then notifies the notification device 2 of the name of the voice file of the template synthesized voice information 23 that was synthesized using the voice of that character, together with a URL indicating the location where the voice file is stored in the storage unit 12 of the notification device 2. Furthermore, the instruction unit 19 notifies the notification device 2 of the telephone number of the terminal device 3 included in the alarm information 22 selected by the user U.

Next, the telephone server 51 notifies the request to acquire the audio file (step S54). At this time, the telephone server 51 notifies the notification device 2 of the name of the audio file notified in step S52, together with the URL of the audio file.

Next, the transmission unit 20 of the notification device 2 transmits the audio file of the notified name stored in the notified URL to the telephone server 51 (step S56).

Then, the telephone server 51 makes a call to the telephone number notified in step S52 (step S58).

Next, an existing telephone application installed on the terminal device 3 displays an incoming call screen (not shown) on the display unit of the terminal device 3 (step S60).

When the user U taps the answer button (not shown) displayed on the incoming call screen (step S62), the telephone app of the terminal device 3 connects to the telephone server 51 (step S64), and the telephone app displays a call screen (not shown) on the terminal device 3 (step S66).

Next, the telephone server 51 plays the audio file acquired in step S56 and transmits the audio signal to the terminal device 3 (step S68). As a result, the voice of the character, such as "It's 7 o'clock," is output from an output unit, such as a speaker, of the telephone server 51.

When user U taps the end button (not shown) on the call screen (step S70), the phone app disconnects communication with the phone server 51 (step S72), and the phone app hides the call screen (step S74).

This completes the basic steps of the notification method according to this embodiment when the alarm type is voice.

According to this notification method, when the scheduled time approaches, a call is made from the telephone server 51 to the terminal device 3 (step S58), and when the user U taps the answer button on the incoming call screen to answer the call, the voice of a character with a character name designated by the user U is output from the terminal device 3 (step S68). As a result, a wake-up call or the like can be made in a voice of the user U's preference, providing a mechanism that the user U will not tire of.

<Calendar>
Fig. 10 is a sequence diagram of the notification method according to this embodiment when the alarm type is a calendar. In Fig. 10, the same steps as those in Fig. 5 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted below.

First, when the alarm execution control unit 15 monitors that the scheduled time has arrived or that a predetermined time before the scheduled time has arrived (step S30), steps S32 to S36 of the first embodiment are executed. At the time step S36 is executed, a voice file in which at least a portion of the schedule information obtained from the calendar service server 6 has been voice-synthesized is stored in the storage unit 12 as temporary synthesized voice information 24.

After this, steps S52 to S74 are carried out in the same way as in the voice case of Figure 8, completing the basic steps of the notification method according to this embodiment when the alarm type is calendar.

According to this notification method, as in the first embodiment, a voice synthesized from the schedule information is output from the terminal device 3 in step S68. As a result, by listening to the voice, the user U can not only be informed that the scheduled time has arrived, but also learn about his or her schedule for that day, improving the convenience for the user U.

＜News＞
Fig. 11 is a sequence diagram of the notification method according to this embodiment when the alarm type is news. In Fig. 11, the same steps as those in Fig. 6 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted below.

First, when the alarm execution control unit 15 monitors that the scheduled time has arrived or that the time is a predetermined time before the scheduled time (step S40), steps S42 to S46 of the first embodiment are executed. At the time step S46 is executed, a voice file in which at least a portion of the news information obtained from the news distribution server 5 has been voice-synthesized is stored in the storage unit 12 as temporary synthesized voice information 24.

After this, steps S52 to S74 are carried out in the same way as in the voice case of Figure 8, completing the basic steps of the notification method according to this embodiment when the alarm type is calendar.

According to this notification method, as in the first embodiment, a voice synthesized from the news information is output from the terminal device 3 in step S68. As a result, by listening to the voice, the user U can learn not only that the scheduled time has arrived, but also the news for that day, improving the convenience for the user U.

<Hardware Configuration>
Next, the hardware configuration of each device according to the present embodiment will be described. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the notification device 2 according to the first and second embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 12, the notification device 2 has a storage device 2a, a memory 2b, a processor 2c, a communication interface 2d, and a media reading device 2f. These devices are interconnected by a bus 2g.

The storage device 2a is a non-volatile storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD), and stores the notification program 100 according to this embodiment.

The notification program 100 may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium 2h, and the processor 2c may be configured to read the notification program 100 from the recording medium 2h.

Examples of such recording media 2h include physically portable recording media such as CD-ROMs (Compact Disc - Read Only Memory), DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs), and USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. Semiconductor memories such as flash memories and hard disk drives may also be used as recording media 2h.

Furthermore, the notification program 100 may be stored in a device connected to a public line, the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), etc. In that case, the processor 2c may read and execute the notification program 100.

Memory 2b is hardware that temporarily stores data, such as DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), on which the notification program 100 is deployed.

The processor 2c is a processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphical Processing Unit) that controls each part of the notification device 2. The processor 2c cooperates with the memory 2b to execute the notification program 100, thereby realizing the processing unit 11 in FIG. 1.

The storage unit 12 in FIG. 1 is realized by the storage device 2a and the memory 2b. Furthermore, the communication interface 2d is hardware such as a NIC (Network Interface Card) for connecting the notification device 2 to the network 7. The communication interface 2d realizes the communication unit 13 in FIG. 1.

The medium reading device 2f is hardware such as a USB reader for reading data recorded on the recording medium 2h.

Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a terminal device 3 according to the first and second embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 13, the terminal device 3 includes a memory 3g, a processor 3h, a display device 3i, a communication interface 3m, and a speaker 3n. These devices are interconnected by a bus 3p.

Memory 3g is hardware such as DRAM, on which the terminal program according to this embodiment is deployed.

The processor 3h is a processing device such as a CPU that controls each part of the terminal device 3. The processor 3h cooperates with the memory 3g to execute the terminal program, thereby realizing the processing unit 3a in FIG. 1.

The display device 3i is hardware that integrates a touch panel 3j and a display panel 3k. The touch panel 3j is a device that realizes the input unit 3c in FIG. 1, and converts the user's tapping and swiping operations into predetermined signals. The display panel 3k is a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel that realizes the display unit 3d in FIG. 1.

The communication interface 3m is hardware such as a NIC for connecting the terminal device 3 to the network 7. The communication interface 3m realizes the communication unit 3b in FIG. 1.

The speaker 3n is an audio output device. The speaker realizes the output unit 3e in Figure 1.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and modifications, and various other modifications are possible. For example, the above-described embodiment and modifications have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those having all of the configurations described. In addition, it is possible to replace part of one modification with another modification, or to combine modifications.

1...notification system, 2...notification device, 3...terminal device, 4...push notification server, 5...news distribution server, 6...calendar service server, 7...network, 11...processing unit, 12...storage unit, 13...communication unit, 14...settings registration unit, 15...alarm execution control unit, 16...calendar acquisition unit, 17...news acquisition unit, 18...voice synthesis unit, 19...instruction unit, 20...transmission unit, 21...user information, 22...alarm information, 23...template synthetic voice information, 24...temporary synthetic voice information, 30...home screen, 31...character, 32...setting button, 33...alarm registration button, 35...alarm registration screen, 36...time setting item, 37...day of the week setting item, 38...alarm name setting item, 39...alarm type setting item, 41...incoming call screen, 42...reject button, 43...answer button, 45...call screen, 46...hang up button, 51...telephone server, 52...telephone network.

Claims (13)

A notification device in a notification system that notifies a user of a wake-up call or the like to a terminal device of the user,
an acquisition unit that acquires distribution information from a first server at a scheduled time designated by the user or a time a predetermined time before the scheduled time;
a voice synthesis unit that generates a voice file by synthesizing at least a part of the distribution information;
an instruction unit that notifies a second server of a name of the generated audio file and instructs the second server to perform a push notification to the terminal device;
a transmitting unit that displays an incoming call screen in response to the terminal device receiving a push notification including the name of the audio file from the second server, and notifies the terminal device of an acquisition request including the name of the audio file in response to an operation of the user to make a call on the incoming call screen, thereby transmitting the audio file corresponding to the name to the terminal device in response to the acquisition request notified from the terminal device;
A notification device having: The notification device according to claim 1,
The delivery information is information indicating at least one schedule of the user for the day including the scheduled time.
Notification device. The notification device according to claim 2,
The schedule is all of the user's schedules for the day, or a pre-specified number of the user's schedules.
Notification device. The notification device according to claim 2,
The acquisition unit is
acquiring a token corresponding to the user for accessing the first server from the terminal device;
Sending the token to the first server;
When the first server has successfully verified the token, the distribution information indicating the schedule related to the user is acquired from the first server.
Notification device. The notification device according to claim 1,
The distribution information is information indicating at least one news item distributed by the scheduled time.
Notification device. The notification device according to claim 5,
The news is the top news at the scheduled time or a pre-specified number of news items.
Notification device. The notification device according to claim 5,
The news is news of a genre designated in advance by the user.
Notification device. The notification device according to claim 5,
A storage unit that stores the audio file as a cache,
A notification device, wherein the transmission unit transmits the same audio file stored as a cache in the memory unit to each of the multiple terminal devices when the acquisition request is received from the multiple terminal devices. The notification device according to claim 1,
a storage unit that stores a plurality of pieces of alarm information for one user, the alarm information including the scheduled time and the name of a character that produces the sound of the sound file;
Notification device. 10. The notification device according to claim 9,
the acquisition unit acquires the delivery information from the first server at a scheduled time included in the alarm information selected by the user from among the plurality of pieces of alarm information or at a time that is the predetermined time before the scheduled time;
the voice synthesis unit generates the voice file by synthesizing at least a part of the distribution information with a voice of the character included in the alarm information selected by the user from among the plurality of alarm information.
Notification device. A notification method by a notification device in a notification system that notifies a user of a wake-up call or the like to a terminal device of the user, comprising:
acquiring distribution information from a first server at a scheduled time designated by the user or at a time a predetermined time before the scheduled time;
a voice synthesis step of generating a voice file by voice-synthesizing at least a part of the distribution information;
notifying a second server of a name of the generated audio file and instructing the terminal device to perform a push notification;
displaying an incoming call screen by the terminal device in response to receiving a push notification including the name of the audio file from the second server, and notifying an acquisition request including the name of the audio file by the terminal device in response to an operation of the user to make a call on the incoming call screen, thereby transmitting the audio file corresponding to the name to the terminal device in response to the acquisition request notified from the terminal device;
Notification methods, including : A notification device in a notification system for notifying a user of a wake-up call or the like to a terminal device of the user,
acquiring distribution information from a first server at a scheduled time designated by the user or at a time a predetermined time before the scheduled time;
a voice synthesis step of generating a voice file by voice-synthesizing at least a part of the distribution information;
notifying a second server of a name of the generated audio file and instructing the terminal device to perform a push notification;
displaying an incoming call screen by the terminal device in response to receiving a push notification including the name of the audio file from the second server, and notifying an acquisition request including the name of the audio file by the terminal device in response to an operation of the user to make a call on the incoming call screen, thereby transmitting the audio file corresponding to the name to the terminal device in response to the acquisition request notified from the terminal device;
A notification program to run . A user terminal device in a notification system for notifying users of wake-up calls, etc.
notifying a notification device of the scheduled time and type set by the user;
displaying, on a display unit, an incoming call screen including a button for responding to the push notification in response to a push notification from the server, the push notification including a name of an audio file in which at least a part of the delivery information of the set type is voice-synthesized;
notifying the notification device of an acquisition request including a name of the audio file in response to the operation of the button, and acquiring the audio file corresponding to the name from the notification device;
playing the acquired audio file;
A terminal program that runs

Images