KR20060102603A - System, device and method for providing robot-mail service - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a robot mail service method and apparatus, and more particularly, to a robot mail service method and apparatus that can receive or send mail using a robot. The system for providing a robot mail service according to the present invention includes a robot portal server providing a robot mail editor, a robot mail server receiving a mail including emoticon data and messages created through the robot mail editor from a robot portal server, and a robot mail server. Receiving a mail from the robot, including a robot control server for converting the emoticon data and messages into motion data and voice data to the robot, the robot generates a control signal corresponding to the motion data to drive the body, Output voice data. Therefore, the robot can send and receive mail.

Robot, Mail, Robot Control Server, Emoticon

Description

System, Device and Method for providing Robot-Mail Service

1 is a view showing a schematic configuration of an entire system for providing a robot mail service according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2a is a functional block diagram according to the function of the robot mail server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2b is a diagram showing the configuration of a robot control server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2c is a view showing the configuration of a robot according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3a is a view showing a robot mail editor according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3b is a view showing a simulation of the robot by the robot mail editor.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a process of a robot mail service according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of providing a robot mail service in a robot mail server and a robot control server according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of providing a robot mail service according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

10: user terminal

20: robot mail server

30: robot control server

40: additional service providing server

50: repeater

60: robot

The present invention relates to a robot mail service system, apparatus and method, and more particularly, to a robot mail service system, apparatus and method that can receive or send mail using a robot.

In the 1990s, the robot technology has been developed a lot from the industrial robot to the non-industrial robot, but there are still many problems to be commercialized.

In particular, in order for a service robot to provide a service desired by a user, the robot must understand a given command, recognize a surrounding environment, and determine itself, and in order to have such a function, the robot must have artificial intelligence.

Artificial Intelligence refers to a technology that allows a computer to act on a human-like behavior, such as learning or decision-making. Research began in the mid-1950s and is currently used in games, mathematical proofs, and computers. It is widely researched and utilized in the fields of vision, speech recognition, natural language recognition, expert system, robotics, and production automation.

However, the current state of the art for artificial intelligence is inadequate, and the implementation of robots with artificial intelligence is not only expensive, but still inadequately applied to real life.

With the development of computer and communication technology, a technique of controlling a robot using a network has been attempted. In other words, the user wants to control a desired function through a communication network without having to mount many functions on the robot.

Here, various contents desired by the user can be used by using a computer, a mobile communication terminal, and the like. For example, it is possible to enjoy movies, music, games and the like at any time using a mobile communication terminal.

Therefore, various contents are applied to the robot through a network, and accordingly, it is required to provide a service that can use various contents desired by the user using the robot. Moreover, more diverse contents will be created in the future, and as the interest in robots is increasing, there is a need for a method that can apply multimedia technology desired by the user to the functions of the robot.

In particular, nowadays, almost all mail services are online. Even a day, dozens of mails are sent and received through a computer or a mobile terminal. Therefore, there is a demand for new content for email services that are frequently used in daily life.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and to provide a robot mail service system, apparatus and method that can send and receive mail using a robot.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a robot mail service system, apparatus, and method that can listen to a message received through a robot by voice.

According to a first aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, a system for providing a robot mail service to a robot coupled via a communication network, the system comprising: a robot portal server providing a robot mail editor; A robot mail server configured to receive a mail including an emoticon data and a message created through the robot mail editor from the robot portal server; And a robot control server for receiving the mail from the robot mail server, converting the emoticon data and the message into motion data and voice data and transmitting the same to the robot, wherein the robot sends a control signal corresponding to the motion data. A robot mail service system for generating and driving a body and outputting the voice data is provided.

Here, a mail account corresponding to the robot of the robot mail server may be created through the robot portal server.

In addition, the robot mail editor may include an emoticon button to generate the emoticon data, and the robot mail editor may be provided to a user terminal in a software form.

According to a second aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, a robot control server coupled with a robot mail server, providing a robot mail service, comprising: a database for storing robot information; A transceiver for performing data transmission / reception with the robot mail server and the robot; A data converter converting emoticon data and messages included in the mail received from the robot mail server into motion data and voice data corresponding to the robot; And a service control unit for extracting robot information of the robot corresponding to the receiver identification information included in the mail from the database.

Here, the robot information may include a robot serial number and a robot model.

The data converting unit may convert the emoticon data into motion data corresponding to the robot model of the extracted robot information, recognize the data format of the message, and in the case of text data format, add the combined data through a communication network. The data can be converted into a voice data format through the service providing server.

According to a third aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, in the robot coupled with the robot control server, providing a robot mail service, receives the robot mail transmitted from the robot control server, or the robot control server A data transceiver for transmitting a mail reception request message to a server; A speaker for outputting voice data included in the robot mail received from the robot control server; A body driving device for driving at least one of an arm, a leg, a body, and a head of the robot according to motion data included in the robot mail received from the robot control server; And a controller for recognizing an output method corresponding to a data format of mail received from the robot control server to control output through each output device, or to generate a mail reception request message to be transmitted to the robot control server.

The apparatus may further include a display device for outputting text, images, or image data included in the robot mail received from the robot control server.

In addition, a button input device; And a voice input device configured to receive a voice of a user, and send mail input from the user through each of the input devices via the robot control server.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, in a method for providing a robot mail service in a robot control server coupled to a robot mail server, (a) a mail including recipient identification information, emoticon data and messages Receiving from the robot mail server; (b) converting the emoticon data into motion data and the message into voice data; And (c) transmitting the motion data and voice data to a robot corresponding to the recipient identification information.

Here, the receiver identification information may be a robot serial number.

In addition, the conversion of the emoticon data of step (a) is the step of extracting the robot information of the robot corresponding to the recipient identification information; Recognizing a robot model included in the robot information; The method may include extracting motion data corresponding to the emoticon data from the motion data corresponding to the robot model, and the conversion of the message may include recognizing that the message is in a text data format; Transmitting the text data to a combined additional service providing server through a communication network; The method may include receiving voice data corresponding to the text data from the additional service providing server.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the robot mail service system, apparatus, and method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Components to which the same reference numerals are given and duplicate description thereof will be omitted.

1 is a view showing a schematic configuration of an entire system for providing a robot mail service according to an embodiment of the present invention.

According to FIG. 1, the entire system for providing a robot mail service includes a user terminal 10, a robot mail server 20, a robot control server 30, an additional service providing server 40, a repeater 50, and a robot ( 60).

The user terminal 10 performs a function of creating a robot mail to be transmitted to the robot 60 through the robot mail server 20 using a mail editor. The user terminal 10 includes both a mobile communication terminal such as a PDA and a mobile phone, and a wired and wireless terminal such as a PC and a laptop.

The robot mail server 20 stores the mail received from the user terminal 10 and transmits the stored mail to the robot control server 30 for transmission to the robot 60. Alternatively, a function of transmitting a mail created by the robot 60 and transmitted through the robot control server 30 to a mail server corresponding to a mail address to be received may also be performed.

The robot control server 30 performs a function of providing a robot mail service to the robot 60 connected through a communication network. Recognize the robot 60 to receive the mail stored in the robot mail server 20, transmit the mail to the robot 60, and also needs to be converted according to the data format of the mail received from the robot mail server 20 In this case, the converted data format mail may be transmitted to the robot 60 through the additional service providing server 40. Here, the robot control server 30 should store the robot information of all the robot 60 in order to provide a mail service to the robot 60. The robot information includes the IP address of the robot 60 (any other address method used in network communication can be used), the robot serial number, the e-mail address, the robot mail service subscription information, and information on the model of the robot. The robot 60 may include user information. The serial number of the robot is used as information that the robot control server 30 can recognize one robot 60 of a plurality of registered robots. The robot model is used as information for the robot control server 30 to generate motion data, which will be described later.

In addition, the robot control server 30 may include a function of checking whether the power of the robot 60 is turned on / off (ON / OFF) to check whether or not it can be connected from time to time. That is, when the power of the robot 60 is turned off, when power is applied, the robot 60 recognizes the connection of the robot 60 and provides a corresponding service, or the information according to the connected state even if the service is not provided. It may be storing.

The additional service providing server 40 performs a function of providing a function not supported by the robot control server 30. For example, a text-to-speech (TTS) function for speech synthesis of text data and conversion into a speech signal may be provided. Speech synthesis converts characters into words. When an arbitrary sentence is input, the grammatical structure is identified and analyzed and converted into a speech signal that is almost like a real human voice. In addition, the present invention provides an automatic speech recognition (ASR) function for reading a speech signal and converting the speech signal into text data.

The other additional service providing server 40 may read video data and provide a service according to authentication, gesture confirmation, and the like. The image data is received from the robot control server 30 that receives image data captured or photographed by the robot 60, and a corresponding image service (for example, the image data is analyzed and converted into text or audio data). ) Is provided to the robot control server 30.

Hereinafter, a server for providing a voice synthesis service for text data, a voice synthesis server, a server for providing a service for changing a text signal by reading a voice signal, and a voice recognition server for reading a video data and providing a corresponding service. The server will be referred to as a video service server. In addition, the robot control server 30 may provide a function not executed by another server connected through a communication network. Accordingly, the robot control server 30 does not need to separately provide a device for each function.

The repeater 50 is a connection device for data transmission and reception between the robot control server 30 and the robot 60, and is generally composed of a gateway and an access point (AP). The robot control server 30 is wired, and the robot 60 is wirelessly connected to relay transmission and reception of the robot control server 30 and the robot 60. Of course, when the robot control server 30 and the robot 60 transmits and receives data wirelessly, the repeater 50 is not required. In addition, one or more robots 60 may be coupled to one repeater 50. Therefore, when there are a plurality of robots 60 used in the same space, it is possible to perform data transmission and reception with the robot control server 30 by one repeater 50.

The robot 60 performs a function of receiving a robot mail service from the robot control server 30. In addition, the robot control server 30 may transmit a robot mail transmission (or reception) request message. Each robot 60 can all have a serial number, and the serial number can have any possible form of data, including letters, numbers, etc., that can identify each robot 60 in the robot control server 30. Can be. That is, it can be used in the form of members' ID on the website.

Here, the entire system for providing a robot mail service may further include a robot portal server (not shown). The robot portal server may operate a robot portal site to perform a function of a user interface for a robot mail service. First, a user having a robot 60 registers the robot 60 through a robot portal site, receives a mail account including an e-mail address, etc., and registers it with the robot mail server 20, or with the robot control server 30. Robot information can be registered. Second, a robot mail editor can be provided so that a user can easily compose a mail. The robot mail editor may be able to compose various types of mail including image data such as avatars, voice data, and emoticons for controlling the robot so that the robot 60 may produce specific motions and facial expressions. A detailed description of the emoticon for controlling the operation of the robot will be described later.

Of course, the robot mail editor may be made of software and stored in the user terminal 10. Therefore, the user can create a mail using the robot mail editor of the user terminal 10, and transmit the mail to the robot mail server 20, thereby conveniently sending the mail to the robot 60.

In addition, the robot portal server provides the robot 60 with not only the contents related to the robot mail service, but also information about other types of contents that can be provided to the robot 60, and the user has purchased or purchased the contents. It can also provide a related content service to use. The content service may include a music album service, a storytelling service, a robot messenger service, a remote control and home monitoring service, a voice integrated remote control service, a real-time radio broadcast service, and a secretary service. Since this is a separate service from the robot mail service according to the present invention, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Here, it is natural that the robot mail server 20 may perform a robot mail service related function such as registering the robot mail account of the robot portal server and providing a robot mail editor.

Hereinafter, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the above-described robot portal server performs a robot mail service related function.

The entire system for providing a robot mail service may further include a robot management server (not shown) that registers the robot 60 and manages robot information. That is, the robot control server 30 may receive and use the robot information from the robot management server when necessary without storing and managing the information about the robot 60. This does not require the robot control server 30 to have all the information about the robot 60, it can provide convenience of the registration of the robot 60 and the management of the robot information. It is also possible to improve the security by providing an authentication means for the robot (60). Hereinafter, a method of providing a robot mail service in a system not separately provided with a robot management server will be described. Here, the method of providing the robot mail service in the system including the robot management server can be easily inferred.

Figure 2a is a functional block diagram according to the function of the robot mail server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

According to FIG. 2A, the robot mail server 20 includes a mail transmission / reception unit 21, an outgoing mail storage unit 23, a reception mail storage unit 25, and a mail processing unit 27.

The mail transmission / reception unit 21 transmits and receives data (mail, mail reception notification message, etc.) with the robot control server 30 and other mail servers.

The outgoing mail storage unit 23 stores the outgoing mail created by the robot 60 and received through the robot control server 30. That is, the mail to be transmitted to another robot mail server 20 or a general mail server is stored.

The received mail storage unit 25 performs a function of storing a mail to be transmitted to the robot 60.

The outgoing mail storage unit 23 and the incoming mail storage unit 25 may store state information of the mail. That is, the outgoing mail storage unit 23 may have a status information of 'before transmission' of the stored mail among the stored mails, and the received mail storage unit 25 may not send out of the mails to be transmitted to the robot 60. Is 'before', and the sent mail can be read as 'read'. Alternatively, you can set up a separate storage space to save mail that you couldn't send. Then, when the transmission is completed among the mail stored in a separate space can be deleted or stored in another storage space.

The mail processing unit 27 manages the outgoing mail storage unit 23 and the received mail storage unit 25, and performs a function of controlling the mail transmission / reception unit 21. The outgoing mail storage unit 23 and the incoming mail storage unit 25 store the mail received through the mail transmission / reception unit, or recognize the mail to be transmitted and extract the mail from the storage unit. In addition, as described above, a function of generating and managing status information of whether a mail is transmitted may be performed.

Figure 2b is a diagram showing the configuration of a robot control server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The robot control server 30 according to FIG. 2B includes a database 31, a transceiver 33, an operation data converter 34, and a service controller 35.

The database 31 performs a function of storing the robot information and the information on the additional service providing server 40. The robot information includes a serial number for identifying the robot 60, an IP address of the robot 60 or a repeater, which is an address of a destination to which data (mail) to be transmitted according to the robot mail service, and mail service related information. The information on the additional service providing server 40 includes information according to the function of each additional service providing server 40, information on an address of each server, and the like. The mail service related information may include information about a data format to be transmitted to the robot 60, information about a mail not transmitted to the robot 60, and the like.

The transceiver 33 performs a function of transmitting and receiving data with the robot mail server 20, the additional service providing server 40, and the robot 60.

The data converter 34 converts data in correspondence with the mail received from the robot mail server 20. When data corresponding to an emoticon is included, the data is converted into motion data. Here, the conversion to the motion data corresponds to the robot model included in the robot information of the robot 60 and is converted to correspond to the type of emoticon. That is, it recognizes a kind of emoticon such as an emoticon of a smiling face and an emoticon of a crying face, and generates motion data corresponding to a robot model.

The robot 60 receiving the motion data creates a specific motion and facial expression corresponding to the motion data. That is, the motion data is a robot motion control signal capable of controlling the motion of the robot.

It also performs a function of converting mail contents (messages) into voice data. After recognizing the data format of the mail received from the robot mail server 20, the conversion of the data format is determined according to the robot information stored in the database 31. When the conversion needs to be performed, the data format is matched using the additional service providing server 40 and then provided to the robot 60. The voice data should be transmitted to the robot 60. When the text data is received from the robot portal server, the text data is converted into the voice data through the voice synthesis server (TTS) and then sent to the robot 60. The converted voice data is transmitted. In addition, when the format of the message is text data, it is natural that it can always be converted to voice data without determining whether to convert.

The service control unit 35 performs a function of controlling the devices of the robot control server 30, and transmits the robot information of the robot 60 corresponding to the recipient identification information included in the mail received from the robot mail server 20. Extracting from the database 31 is performed.

In addition, the service control unit 35 performs a function of determining whether the robot 60 can receive the mail. In addition, when the service control unit 35 receives a mail transmission request message for transmitting mail from the robot 60 to another robot 60 or a general mail account user, the service controller 35 determines whether the receiver is a robot or a general mail account user. In the case of the general mail account user, it is determined whether or not the received mail is voice data. In the case of voice data, the data conversion unit 34 converts the converted mail into a text data format and converts the converted mail into the robot mail server 20. Control the transfer to

Figure 2c is a view showing the configuration of a robot according to an embodiment of the present invention.

According to FIG. 2C, the robot 60 includes a button input device 61, a voice input device 62, a data transceiver 63, a speaker 64, a display device 65, a body drive device 66, and a control device. (67).

The button input device 61 provides a user interface so that a user can compose a mail using a button.

The voice input device 62 performs a function of receiving a user's voice and converting the voice into voice data since the user may write a mail by voice.

The data transmitting and receiving device 63 performs a function of transmitting a mail input from a user to the robot control server 30, or performs a function of receiving a robot mail transmitted from the robot control server 30. Alternatively, the robot control server 30 may also transmit a mail reception request message for receiving the mail received by the robot mail server 20. Since data is transmitted and received through the repeater 50, the wired and wireless communication with the repeater 50 should be possible. In general, wireless communication may use a wireless local area network (LAN), and all other wireless communication modules may be used.

The speaker 64 and the display device 65 perform a function of outputting the robot mail received from the robot control server 30. In the case of audio data, the speaker 64 outputs the audio data, and text, image, and video data are output using the display device 65. Here, the display device 65 may also perform a function as an input device. That is, a touch screen is provided to perform an input device function by a user's touch.

The body driving device 66 performs a function of moving the body (arm, leg, torso, head, etc.) of the robot 60 in response to the control signal of the control device. The body driving device 66 operates according to an operation rule in a preset manner as a control signal is received from the control device 67 that recognizes motion data corresponding to an emoticon included in the robot mail.

The control device 67 is a device for controlling the functions of the robot 60, the speaker 64, the display device 65 and the body driving device by recognizing the output method corresponding to the data format of the robot mail In step 66, the robot mail output function is controlled. In addition, the control device performs a function of generating a mail transmission request signal to be transmitted to the robot control server 30. Here, the mail transmission request signal includes a serial number (or mail address of the robot) for identifying the robot 60.

Hereinafter, the user will create a robot mail using the robot mail editor in detail. The creation of the mail using the robot mail editor may be performed by the user accessing the robot portal server using the user terminal 10, or may be installed and performed on the user terminal 10. After that, the created mail is transmitted to the robot control server 30.

Figure 3a is a view showing a robot mail editor according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3b is a view showing a simulation of the robot by the robot mail editor.

According to FIG. 3A, the robot mail editor includes an email address window 310, an attachment button 315, a title window 320, a message input window 330, a voice message button 335, an emoticon button 340, and a preview button. 350, a send button 360.

Recipient identification information for receiving a mail is written in the mail address window 310. The recipient identification information may use not only the robot mail address but also the serial number of the robot 60 (similar to the phone number of the mobile phone). The robot mail address is an address registered in the robot mail server 20. In general, the robot mail address may include a robot serial number and an identifier (@) and an address of the robot mail server 20.

The attach button 315 is a button for providing a function of attaching data such as an image, a music file, a video, etc. to an e-mail. After clicking the attach button 315, select the data to be sent together, and the data name appears in the window next to the attach button. The robot 60 outputs the received attachment data through each output device.

When the voice message button 335 is pressed, the contents of the mail to be transmitted to the robot 60 can be written as voice data.

The emoticon button 340 is a button for setting an emoticon for controlling various operations of the robot 60. When the button is clicked, various emoticons such as a frowning face, a crying face, and a smiling face can be set. In response to the set emoticon, the robot 60 may receive different operations (movement or facial expressions of the arms, legs, torso, head, etc.) and the tone of the sound of reading the mail. The operation of the robot 60 and the setting of the voice tone for reading the mail may be performed by the robot control server 30, or may be performed by a function of the robot 60 itself. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention can be simplified in the configuration of the robot 60 by performing in the robot control server 30.

When the preview button 350 is input, when the robot 60 receives the mail created by the user, it provides a function of simulating the operation.

According to FIG. 3B, the robot outputs the mail in correspondence with the created mail. If the emoticon of the smiley face is set as shown in the emoticon button 340 of the figure, the robot 60 will read the mail with the corresponding action (eg, with the arm stirring). Mail contents written in the message input window 330 may be converted into voice and output. However, since the voice synthesis apparatus must be separately provided, it is preferable to output the mail contents on the screen. Of course, the mail contents created by the voice data by the voice message button 335 can be listened to by the voice input by the user.

When the send button 360 is input, the robot mail server 20 together with the data corresponding to the emoticon set in the message input window 330 is set to the robot 60 corresponding to the address created in the mail address window 310. Is sent).

4 is a flowchart illustrating a process of a robot mail service according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

According to FIG. 4, in step S410, the user composes a mail through the user terminal 10. As described above, the robot mail server 20 may be provided by the robot mail editor stored in the robot mail server 20, and may be connected to the robot mail server 20 through the robot mail editor provided by the robot mail server 20 in real time. You can also write

In step S420, the created mail is transmitted to the robot mail server 20. Here, the mail includes recipient identification information of the robot 60 to be received so that the mail created by the robot control server 30 to the robot 60 can be transmitted. As the identification information, the serial number of the robot 60 may be used. The serial number may have any possible form of data format, including letters, numbers, etc., to enable the robot control server 30 to identify each robot 60. That is, it can be used in the form of members' ID on the website. Accordingly, a mail account corresponding to the serial number of the robot is set in the robot mail server 20 so that the serial number of the robot 60 can be recognized.

In step S430, the robot mail server 20 stores the received mail. Here, the robot mail server 20 preferably has a respective storage space corresponding to each of the plurality of robots 60 registered in advance. This may be processed similarly to a method of storing mail in a general mail server, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In operation S440, the robot mail server 20 transmits the mail to the robot control server 30.

In operation S450, the robot control server 30 provides a robot mail service to the robot 60 in correspondence with the received mail. The mail received from the robot mail server 20 may be transmitted to the robot 60 without any conversion, but may be converted into various types of data and transmitted. For example, the mail received from the robot mail server 20 may be transmitted. When the message format is a text data, the additional service control server 40 can be converted into voice data through a speech synthesis server and provided. In addition, the robot control server generates motion data corresponding to the received emoticon data. Here, since the control signal may be different for each robot model, the motion data may be generated according to the robot model included in the robot information.

In step S460, the robot 60 outputs the received mail. The voice data is output through the speaker, the image data is output through the display device 65, and when the motion data is included, the arm, leg, body, etc. of the robot 60 are moved in correspondence with the motion data. Show your expression on your face.

Hereinafter, a process of providing a robot mail service in the robot mail server 20 and the robot control server 30 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of providing a robot mail service in a robot mail server and a robot control server according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

According to FIG. 5, in step S510, the robot mail server 20 receives a mail from the user terminal 10, and sends a mail reception notification message including recipient identification information corresponding to the mail received in step S520. 30). Correspondingly, in step S530, the robot control server 30 recognizes the robot 60 corresponding to the received information through previously stored robot information, and checks whether the robot 60 can receive the current mail. do. When the robot 60 is in an ON state, information about the robot 60 may be recognized in advance, and when the mail reception notification message is received, the robot 60 is turned on in response to a signal that is sent to the robot 60 in real time. Or OFF. When the robot 60 is off, the mail transmission is not performed. Then, when the robot 60 is turned on (ON), receives the mail reception request message from the robot 60, and performs the following steps accordingly.

In operation S540, the robot control server 30 transmits the receiver identification information to the robot mail server 20 to request a corresponding mail. The robot mail server 20 transmits the mail to the robot control server 30 in step S550, and changes the state of the mail to a 'read' state in step S555. That is, the robot mail server 20 stores information about whether or not the received mail is in a read state.

In step S560, the robot control server 30 checks the robot information corresponding to the received mail to determine whether it is necessary to convert the data format of the mail. For example, there may be a robot 60 requesting the voice data, there may be a robot 60 requesting the text data format, so that each robot 60 checks the preset data format through the robot information It is preferable to include the process. If it is determined as necessary, the mail is converted in step S570. For example, if the mail contains emoticon data, the robot 60 converts the data into motion data so that the robot 60 can operate, and converts the message composed of the text data into voice data through a speech synthesis server.

In step S580, the robot mail converted data is transmitted to the robot 60. The mail transmitted from the robot control server 30 to the robot 60 will be referred to as robot mail.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the robot 60 may not only receive mail, but may also send mail to another robot 60 or a mail server corresponding to a general mail address. That is, the user may create a mail by using the mail editing function of the robot 60 or may transmit a pre-written mail through the user terminal 10.

In the method of composing mail using the robot 60, a message and a mail address to be transmitted may be input by voice through a voice input device of the robot 60, or may be input using a button or a touch screen. The robot 60 may transmit the mail to the desired mail address by transmitting the input mail to the robot control server 30. Hereinafter, a mail transmission procedure for transmitting mail to a mail server corresponding to a general mail address instead of the robot 60 by using the robot 60 will be described.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of providing a robot mail service according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

According to FIG. 6, in step S610, the user creates a mail through the robot 60. Mail contents (messages) are created by voice using a voice input device of the robot 60, and a recipient's address is input by text or voice by using a button.

In operation S620, the robot 60 transmits a mail transmission request message including a mail to the robot control server 30. In step S530, the robot control server 30 converts the data format of the received mail. The mail created by the voice is converted into a text data format through the additional service providing server 40. Here, not only the contents of the mail but also the receiver identification information (recipient's address, etc.) can be made into voice data, and converted into text data through the voice recognition server of the additional service providing server 40.

In operation S540, the mail is transmitted to the robot mail server 20. In step S550, the robot mail server 20 stores the mail, and in step S560, the robot mail server 20 transmits the mail to the mail server 100 using the recipient identification information.

As described above, the method of the present invention may be implemented as a program and stored in a recording medium (CD-ROM, RAM, ROM, floppy disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, etc.) that can be read by a PC.

As described above, according to the present invention, there is an effect that can provide a robot mail service system, apparatus and method that can send and receive mail using a robot.

In addition, there is an effect that can provide a robot mail service system, apparatus and method that can listen to the message received through the robot by voice.

In addition, when sending a mail using a robot, the contents of the mail can be input by voice, thereby providing the user with the convenience of creating a mail.

Although described above with reference to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, those skilled in the art that various modifications of the present invention within the scope without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention described in the claims below And can be changed.

Claims (15)

In the system for providing a robot mail service to a robot coupled through a communication network, A robot portal server providing a robot mail editor; A robot mail server configured to receive a mail including an emoticon data and a message created through the robot mail editor from the robot portal server; The robot control server receives the mail from the robot mail server, converts the emoticon data and the message into motion data and voice data, and transmits the same to the robot. Including, The robot generates a control signal corresponding to the operation data to drive the body, and outputs the voice mail robot system. The method of claim 1, And a mail account corresponding to the robot of the robot mail server is generated through the robot portal server. The method of claim 1, The robot mail editor includes an emoticon button to generate the emoticon data. The method according to claim 1 or 3, The robot mail editor is a robot mail service system provided to a user terminal in software format. In the robot control server coupled with the robot mail server, providing a robot mail service, A database storing robot information; A transceiver for performing data transmission / reception with the robot mail server and the robot; A data converter converting emoticon data and messages included in the mail received from the robot mail server into motion data and voice data corresponding to the robot; And Service control unit for extracting the robot information of the robot corresponding to the recipient identification information included in the mail from the database Robot control server comprising a. The method of claim 4, wherein The robot information includes a robot serial number and robot model. The method of claim 5, wherein the data conversion unit Robot control server for converting the emoticon data into motion data corresponding to the robot model of the extracted robot information. The method of claim 4, wherein the data conversion unit Recognizing the data format of the message, and in the case of the text data format, the robot control server for converting the data into the voice data format through the additional service providing server coupled through a communication network. In the robot coupled with the robot control server, providing a robot mail service, A data transmission / reception apparatus for receiving a robot mail transmitted from the robot control server or transmitting a mail reception request message to the robot control server; A speaker for outputting voice data included in the robot mail received from the robot control server; A body driving device for driving at least one of an arm, a leg, a body, and a head of the robot according to motion data included in the robot mail received from the robot control server; And Recognizing an output method corresponding to the data format of the mail received from the robot control server to control the output through each output device, or a control device for generating a mail reception request message to be sent to the robot control server Robot comprising a. The method of claim 8, And a display device for outputting text, images, or image data included in the robot mail received from the robot control server. The method of claim 8, Button input device; And Voice input device that receives the user's voice The robot further includes, but sends the mail input from the user through each of the input device via the robot control server. In the method for providing a robot mail service in a robot control server combined with a robot mail server, (a) receiving a mail from the robot mail server including recipient identification information, emoticon data, and a message; (b) converting the emoticon data into motion data and the message into voice data; And (c) transmitting the motion data and voice data to a robot corresponding to the receiver identification information; Robot mail service method comprising a. The method of claim 11, The recipient identification information is a robot mail service method. The method of claim 11, wherein the conversion of the emoticon data of step (a) is Extracting robot information of a robot corresponding to the receiver identification information; Recognizing a robot model included in the robot information; Extracting motion data corresponding to the emoticon data from the motion data corresponding to the robot model Robot mail service method comprising a. 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the transformation of the message in step (a) is Recognizing that the message is in text data format; Transmitting the text data to a combined additional service providing server through a communication network; Receiving voice data corresponding to the text data from the additional service providing server; Robot mail service method comprising a.

Images