JP2005234929A - Server device, acoustic control system and acoustic control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a server device, an acoustic control system and an acoustic control method capable of properly providing to a plurality of users using a plurality of equipment, only information necessary for each user according to the using mode of equipment by each user. <P>SOLUTION: The server 31 preliminarily stores user information for identifying a user in association with equipment information for equipment used in a room by the user, and receives the position information of the user and a report signal from the equipment. The server determines a user to which information should be provided based on the report signal and association between the user information and the equipment information, and generates providing information for this user. Further, the server selects proper speakers 36 based on the position information of the user to reproduce the providing information as sounds through a plurality of speakers 36 scattered within the room, and transmits the providing information to the selected speakers 36. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a server device, an acoustic control system, and an acoustic control method that can control sound and provide information to a user.

  In recent years, there are many acoustic devices and devices that provide information by sound in the home. However, in such a space, not all people in the space use the device, so the sound and information provided by each device is not necessary for all people and is unnecessary. For humans, it is often only noise. Therefore, there is an increasing need to individually provide only the sounds and information that are really necessary for individual users.

As a technique for providing information by a method suitable for an individual user, for example, in a sound such as a television, a sound field unique to each user is reproduced by a virtual sound source or a plane wave speaker. In addition, in order to supply a comfortable audio environment according to the user's state, information related to the user's average biological state is stored in advance, and the average biological information and newly detected biological information are stored. In comparison, there is also a technology in which the user controls and provides sound so that the average biological state is achieved (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-11-244383 (paragraph [0026] etc.)

  However, since the above technique assumes that information is provided using a single device such as a television or an audio device, there are a plurality of devices in the same space, and there are also a plurality of users who use the devices. In such a case, it is still impossible to reproduce an appropriate sound field for each different device used by each user for the sound provided by each device.

  In view of the circumstances as described above, an object of the present invention is to appropriately provide only information necessary for each user to a plurality of users who use a plurality of devices according to the usage mode of each user's device. Another object is to provide a server device, an acoustic control system, and an acoustic control method.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the server device of the present invention is transmitted from the device, storage means for storing user information related to the user and device information related to the device used by the user in a predetermined space, and the device. A receiving unit that receives the notification signal, a determination unit that determines a relevance between the notification signal received by the receiving unit and the user based on information stored in the storage unit, and a determination unit that is related Based on the notification signal determined to be, the provision information generation means for generating provision information for provision to the user, and the provision information generated by the provision information generation means is reproduced as sound via an acoustic reproduction section. In order to achieve this, a transmission means for transmitting to the sound reproduction unit is provided.

  Here, the device refers to a device capable of performing a predetermined function other than the provision of the provision information, such as a home appliance such as a television, a washing machine, and a microwave oven, and the predetermined space refers to, for example, a home, An indoor space such as an office.

  The user information specifically refers to information identifying each user, such as a user name, user ID, and user preference information, and information related to each user. The device information specifically refers to a device. Information identifying each device and information related to each device, such as the name of the device, the ID of the device, the usage mode of the device, and information about the user who uses the device.

  The notification signal transmitted from the device means an audio signal and a video signal received by the television in the case of a television, for example. In the case of a microwave oven or a washing machine, for example, notification that cooking or washing has been completed. Signals to be used.

  The relationship between the notification signal and the user is, for example, when the notification signal includes information required by the user or when the device that transmits the notification signal is a device owned by the user. It refers to the relationship between the notification signal and the user that can be determined by associating with device information.

  The provided information is acoustic information generated based on the notification signal received from the device. The generation of provided information refers to the case where the notification signal from the device is converted into acoustic information, or the notification signal. In the case of a sound signal, the signal is generated as provided information as it is, and the sound signal is further changed according to the user's preference or the like.

  Specifically, the sound reproducing unit refers to a device capable of reproducing sound, such as a speaker or headphones.

  According to this configuration, the relevance between the notification signal received from the device and the user is determined, the provision information is generated based on the notification signal determined to be relevant, and the provision information is transmitted to the sound reproduction unit. Even if there are multiple devices and users in the same space, only the information necessary for each user is appropriate according to the usage mode of each user's device. And unnecessary information can be prevented from being provided to the user.

  In the server device, the storage unit stores the preference information of the user, and the server device matches the provision information to be transmitted to the sound reproduction unit based on the preference information to the preference of the user. The information processing apparatus may further include changing means for changing, and the transmitting means may transmit the provision information changed by the changing means to the sound reproducing unit.

  Here, the preference information refers to information such as a user's favorite voice, a sound volume that the user feels comfortable with, a language that is easy for the user to understand, a user's interest in sports, music, and the like.

  Thereby, since the determination means refers to the preference information, for example, information can be provided to the user according to the preference of the user's favorite voice, volume and language, program content such as sports and music, etc. The necessity of the provision information for the user can be further improved, and conversely, it is possible to avoid providing the user with information that does not meet the preference. In addition, by changing the provision information so as to match the preference information such as the user's favorite volume and language, information necessary for the user can be provided in a manner most desired by the user.

  The server device further includes confirmation means for confirming the presence of the user in the predetermined space, and when the transmission means confirms the presence of the user in the predetermined space by the confirmation means, the provided information May be transmitted. Thus, since the provision information is provided to the user when it is confirmed that the user exists in the predetermined space, it is possible to prevent the user from leaking important information.

  In the server device, the sound reproduction units are scattered in the predetermined space, and the server device is based on acquisition means for acquiring the user's position information and user's position information acquired by the acquisition means. And a first selection unit that selects the sound reproduction unit for reproducing the provision information, and the transmission unit transmits the provision information to the sound reproduction unit selected by the first selection unit. You may make it do. As a result, the user's position information is acquired, and from the sound reproduction units scattered in the predetermined space, an appropriate sound reproduction unit corresponding to the user's position is selected, and the provided information is obtained via the sound reproduction unit. Therefore, each user can acquire only necessary information according to his / her position, and conversely, useless information that does not need to be acquired can be avoided.

  In the server apparatus, the first selection unit may select the sound reproduction unit closest to the position of the user. Thereby, according to the position information of the user, since the provided information can be provided from the sound reproduction unit located closest to the user, the information necessary only for the user can be provided most efficiently. Since the information cannot be heard by other users, other users can avoid obtaining useless information.

  The server device further includes a storage unit that stores the notification signal received by the receiving unit when the acquiring unit cannot acquire the location information of the user, and the generating unit includes the acquiring unit As soon as the user's location information is acquired, the provision information may be generated based on the notification signal stored by the storage unit. Thus, for example, when the user is not in the room, the notification signal from the device relevant to the user is temporarily stored, and when the user enters the room, the provision information is obtained from the notification signal. Therefore, even if the user is not in the room when receiving the notification signal from the device, the user does not miss the provided information and enters the room. The provided information can be acquired immediately.

  The storage unit stores the user information for each of a plurality of users, and the server device stores the provision information based on the user information stored in the storage unit, the device information, and the notification signal received by the reception unit. The apparatus may further include second selection means for selecting a user to be provided, and the generation means may generate provision information for provision to a user selected by the second selection means. Since the user who provides the provision information is selected in advance, even when there are a plurality of users, the provision information can be appropriately provided to the necessary users.

  In the server device, the storage unit stores the device information for each of a plurality of devices and stores the importance level of each device for the user, and the transmission unit determines a predetermined device according to the importance level. The provision information related to the information may be transmitted with priority over the provision information related to other devices. As a result, for example, even when a notification signal is transmitted from a plurality of devices at the same time, the user preferentially obtains provision information related to a device with high importance according to the importance of each device to the user. Therefore, information that is particularly important for the user is not acquired late, and provided information about all devices can be appropriately acquired according to importance.

  In the server device, the notification signal transmitted from the device may be a signal for notifying completion of a predetermined operation performed by the device. Thereby, for example, a device such as a microwave oven or a washing machine generates a notification signal as notification information for notifying the user of the completion of operation such as “cooking completion” or “washing completion”, and appropriately applies to the user who needs the provision information. You can be notified.

  In the server device, the notification signal transmitted from the device may be an audio signal or a video signal received by the device from a broadcasting station. Thereby, acoustic information, such as a television, can be appropriately provided to a necessary user. In addition, for example, by recognizing image information on a television or the like and converting an image of a person into audio information that conveys the person's name as provided information, the image can be provided to the user as audio information. .

  The acoustic control system of the present invention includes a notification signal generating unit that generates a notification signal for generating provision information to be provided to a user, and a notification signal transmitting unit that transmits the notification signal generated by the notification signal generating unit. Storage means for associating and storing device information, user information related to the user, and device information related to the device used by the user in a predetermined space, receiving means for receiving the notification signal transmitted from the device, Based on the information stored by the storage means, a judgment means for judging the relevance between the notification signal received by the receiving means and the user, and the notification signal judged to be relevant by the judgment means. In addition, provision information generation means for generating provision information for provision to the user, and provision information generated by the provision information generation means To play the sound through the raw part, it is characterized by comprising a server device and a transmitting means for transmitting to the sound reproduction unit.

  With this configuration, a notification signal for generating information to be provided to the user is generated and transmitted to the server device, and the notification signal is received and the relevance between the notification signal and the user is determined and provided. By providing a server device that generates information and transmits the provided information to the sound reproduction unit, it is possible to appropriately provide a notification signal from the device as necessary information only to a necessary user.

  The acoustic control method of the present invention includes a step of storing user information related to a user and device information related to a device used by the user in a predetermined space, a step of receiving a notification signal transmitted from the device, Based on the information stored by the storage means, the step of determining the relevance between the notification signal received by the receiving means and the user, and the notification signal determined to be related by the determination means A step of generating provision information for provision to the user, and a step of transmitting the provision information generated by the provision information generation unit to the sound reproduction unit in order to reproduce the provision information as sound via the sound reproduction unit; It is characterized by comprising.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, only the information required for each user can be appropriately provided with respect to the several user who uses several apparatus according to the utilization mode of each user's apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, a network system as a premise in one embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows an example of a network system according to the present invention, in which a plurality of information processing apparatuses 1, 2, 3, 4 are connected via a network 9. The information processing apparatuses 1, 2, 3, 4 are, for example, various AV (Audio and Visual) devices, portable devices, home appliances such as microwave ovens and washing machines.

  As for the information processing apparatus 1, the information processing apparatus 1 includes an information processing controller 11 as a computer function unit. The information processing controller 11 includes a main processor 21-1, sub processors 23-1, 23-2, and 23-3, a DMAC (direct memory access controller) 25-1, and a DC (disk controller) 27-1.

  The main processor 21-1 performs schedule management of program execution (data processing) by the sub processors 23-1, 23-2, and 23-3 and general management of the information processing controller 11 (information processing apparatus 1). . However, a program other than the management program may be operated in the main processor 21-1. In that case, the main processor 21-1 also functions as a sub processor. The main processor 21-1 has an LS (local storage) 22-1.

  There may be one sub-processor, but preferably there are a plurality of sub-processors. This example is a plurality of cases. Each of the sub processors 23-1, 23-2, and 23-3 executes a program in parallel and independently under the control of the main processor 21-1, and processes data. Further, in some cases, the program in the main processor 21-1 can be configured to operate in cooperation with the programs in the sub-processors 23-1, 23-2, and 23-3. A function program described later is also a program that operates in the main processor 21-1. The sub processors 23-1, 23-2, and 23-3 also have LS (local storage) 24-1, 24-2, and 24-3.

  The DMAC 25-1 accesses a program and data stored in a main memory 26-1 including a DRAM (dynamic RAM) connected to the information processing controller 11, and the DC 27-1 is used for the information processing controller 11. Are accessed to the external recording units 28-1 and 28-2.

  The external recording units 28-1 and 28-2 may be fixed disks (hard disks) or removable disks, and are optical disks such as MO, CD ± RW, DVD ± RW, memory disks, SRAM (static RAM), ROM, and the like. Various types can be used. Therefore, although DC27-1 is called a disk controller, it is an external recording unit controller. As in the example of FIG. 1, the information processing controller 11 can be configured so that a plurality of external recording units 28 can be connected to the information processing controller 11.

  The main processor 21-1, the sub processors 23-1, 23-2, and 23-3, the DMAC 25-1, and the DC 27-1 are connected by a bus 29-1.

  An identifier that can uniquely identify the information processing apparatus 1 including the information processing controller 11 throughout the entire network is assigned to the information processing controller 11 as an information processing apparatus ID.

  Similarly, an identifier that can identify each of the main processor 21-1 and each of the sub processors 23-1, 23-2, and 23-3 is assigned as a main processor ID and a sub processor ID.

  The information processing controller 11 is preferably configured as a one-chip IC (integrated circuit). Other information processing apparatuses 2, 3, and 4 are configured in the same manner as described above. Here, the units having the same parent number in FIG. 1 perform the same function even if the branch numbers are different unless otherwise noted. Further, in the following description, when the branch number is omitted, it is assumed that the difference in the branch number does not occur.

  As described above, each sub-processor 23 in one information processing controller independently executes a program and processes data, but different sub-processors simultaneously read or write to the same area in the main memory 26. If done, data inconsistencies can occur. Therefore, access from the sub processor 23 to the main memory 26 is performed according to the following procedure.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the main memory 26 is composed of memory locations that can specify a plurality of addresses. Each memory location is allocated an additional segment for storing information indicating the state of the data. The additional segment includes an F / E bit, a sub processor ID, and an LS address (local storage address). Each memory location is also assigned an access key to be described later. The F / E bit is defined as follows.

  The F / E bit = 0 indicates that the data being processed being read by the sub-processor 23 or invalid data that is not the latest data because it is empty and cannot be read. The F / E bit = 0 indicates that data can be written to the memory location, and is set to 1 after writing.

  The F / E bit = 1 indicates that the data at the memory location has not been read by the sub-processor 23 and is the latest unprocessed data. The data in the memory location can be read and set to 0 after being read by the sub-processor 23. Further, the F / E bit = 1 indicates that the memory location cannot write data.

  Furthermore, it is possible to set a read reservation for the memory location in the state where the F / E bit = 0 (reading impossible / writing possible). When a read reservation is made for a memory location with the F / E bit = 0, the sub processor 23 adds the sub processor ID and LS of the sub processor 23 as read reservation information to an additional segment of the memory location where the read reservation is made. Write the address.

  Thereafter, when data is written to the memory location reserved for reading by the sub-processor 23 on the data writing side and the F / E bit is set to 1 (readable / not writable), it is preliminarily stored in the additional segment as read reservation information. Read to the written sub-processor ID and LS address.

  When it is necessary to process data in multiple stages by a plurality of sub-processors, the sub-processor 23 that performs the process in the previous stage controls the read / write of the data in each memory location in this way. Immediately after the data is written at a predetermined address on the main memory 26, another sub-processor 23 that performs the subsequent processing can read the data after the preprocessing.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the LS 24 in each sub-processor 23 is also configured by memory locations that can specify a plurality of addresses. An additional segment is similarly allocated for each memory location. The additional segment includes a busy bit.

  When the sub-processor 23 reads the data in the main memory 26 to the memory location of its own LS 24, it reserves by setting the corresponding busy bit to 1. No other data can be stored in the memory location where the busy bit is 1. After reading to the memory location of the LS 24, the busy bit becomes 0 and can be used for any purpose.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the main memory 26 connected to each information processing controller further includes a plurality of sandboxes. The sandbox defines an area in the main memory 26, and each sandbox is assigned to each sub processor 23 and can be used exclusively by the sub processor. That is, each sub-processor 23 can use a sandbox assigned to itself, but cannot access data beyond this area. The main memory 26 is composed of a plurality of memory locations, and the sandbox is a set of these memory locations.

  Furthermore, in order to realize exclusive control of the main memory 26, a key management table as shown in FIG. 2C is used. The key management table is stored in a relatively high-speed memory such as SRAM in the information processing controller, and is associated with the DMAC 25. Each entry in the key management table includes a sub processor ID, a sub processor key, and a key mask.

  The process when the sub processor 23 uses the main memory 26 is as follows. First, the sub processor 23 outputs a read or write command to the DMAC 25. This command includes its own sub-processor ID and the address of the main memory 26 that is the use request destination.

  Before executing this command, the DMAC 25 refers to the key management table and checks the sub processor key of the sub processor of the use request source. Next, the DMAC 25 compares the checked sub-processor key of the use request source with the access key allocated to the memory location shown in FIG. Execute the above command only when two keys match.

  In the key mask on the key management table shown in FIG. 2C, when the arbitrary bit becomes 1, the corresponding bit of the sub-processor key associated with the key mask may become 0 or 1. it can. For example, assume that the sub-processor key is 1010. Normally, this sub-processor key only allows access to a sandbox with 1010 access keys. However, if the key mask associated with this sub-processor key is set to 0001, the match determination between the sub-processor key and the access key is masked only for the digit whose key mask bit is set to 1. This sub-processor key 1010 enables access to a sandbox having an access key whose access key is either 1010 or 1011.

  As described above, the sandbox exclusivity of the main memory 26 is realized. That is, when it is necessary to process data in multiple stages by a plurality of sub-processors in one information processing controller, by configuring as described above, the sub-processor that performs the process in the previous stage and the process in the subsequent stage are processed. Only the sub processor that performs the access can access a predetermined address in the main memory 26, and data can be protected.

  For example, it can be used as follows. First, immediately after the information processing apparatus is activated, the values of the key masks are all zero. It is assumed that a program in the main processor is executed and operates in cooperation with a program in the sub processor. When the processing result data output by the first sub-processor is temporarily stored in the main memory and desired to be input to the second sub-processor, the corresponding main memory area must naturally be accessible from either sub-processor. is there. In such a case, the program in the main processor appropriately changes the value of the key mask and provides a main memory area that can be accessed from a plurality of sub processors, thereby enabling multi-stage processing by the sub processors. .

More specifically, it is a multi-step process in the order of data from another information processing apparatus → processing by the first sub processor → first main memory area → processing by the second sub processor → second main memory area. When processing is done,
Sub-processor key of the first sub-processor: 0100
First main memory area access key: 0100,
Sub-processor key of the second sub-processor: 0101,
Access key for second main memory area: 0101
In such a setting, the second sub-processor cannot access the first main memory area. Therefore, by setting the key mask of the second sub processor to 0001, it is possible to allow the second sub processor to access the first main memory area.

  In the network system of FIG. 1, software cells are transmitted between the information processing apparatuses 1, 2, 3, and 4 for distributed processing between the information processing apparatuses 1, 2, 3, and 4. That is, the main processor 21 included in the information processing controller in a certain information processing apparatus generates a software cell including a command, a program, and data, and transmits it to another information processing apparatus via the network 9 to perform processing. Can be dispersed.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the configuration of the software cell. The software cell in this example is composed of a transmission source ID, a transmission destination ID, a response destination ID, a cell interface, a DMA command, a program, and data as a whole.

  The transmission source ID includes the network address of the information processing apparatus that is the transmission source of the software cell, the information processing apparatus ID of the information processing apparatus, and the main processor 21 and each sub processor included in the information processing controller in the information processing apparatus. 23 identifiers (main processor ID and sub-processor ID) are included.

  The transmission destination ID and the response destination ID include the same information about the information processing apparatus that is the transmission destination of the software cell and the information processing apparatus that is the response destination of the execution result of the software cell, respectively.

  The cell interface is information necessary for using the software cell, and includes a global ID, necessary sub-processor information, a sandbox size, and a previous software cell ID.

  The global ID can uniquely identify the software cell throughout the network, and is created based on the transmission source ID and the date and time (date and time) of creation or transmission of the software cell.

  The necessary sub-processor information sets the number of sub-processors necessary for executing the software cell. The sandbox size sets the amount of memory in the main memory 26 and the LS 24 of the sub processor 23 necessary for executing the software cell. The previous software cell ID is an identifier of the previous software cell in a group of software cells that request sequential execution of streaming data or the like.

  The execution section of the software cell is composed of DMA commands, programs, and data. The DMA command includes a series of DMA commands necessary for starting the program, and the program includes a sub processor program executed by the sub processor 23. The data here is data processed by a program including the sub processor program.

  Further, the DMA command includes a load command, a kick command, a function program execution command, a status request command, and a status return command.

  The load command is a command for loading information in the main memory 26 into the LS 24 in the sub processor 23, and includes a main memory address, a sub processor ID, and an LS address in addition to the load command itself. The main memory address indicates an address of a predetermined area in the main memory 26 from which information is loaded. The sub processor ID and the LS address indicate the identifier of the sub processor 23 to which the information is loaded and the address of the LS 24.

  The kick command is a command for starting execution of a program, and includes a sub processor ID and a program counter in addition to the kick command itself. The sub processor ID identifies the sub processor 23 to be kicked, and the program counter gives an address for the program execution program counter.

  As will be described later, the function program execution command is a command for requesting execution of a function program from another information processing apparatus to another information processing apparatus. The information processing controller in the information processing apparatus that has received the function program execution command identifies a function program to be activated by a function program ID described later.

  The status request command is a command for requesting transmission of device information related to the current operation state (situation) of the information processing device indicated by the transmission destination ID to the information processing device indicated by the response destination ID. Although the function program will be described later, it is a program categorized into the function program in the software configuration diagram stored in the main memory 26 of the information processing controller shown in FIG. The function program is loaded into the main memory 26 and executed by the main processor 21.

  The status reply command is a command in which the information processing apparatus that has received the status request command responds to the information processing apparatus indicated by the response destination ID included in the status request command with its own apparatus information. The status reply command stores device information in the data area of the execution section.

  FIG. 4 shows the structure of the data area of the software cell when the DMA command is a status return command.

  The information processing device ID is an identifier for identifying the information processing device including the information processing controller, and indicates the ID of the information processing device that transmits the status reply command. The information processing device ID is included in the information processing controller in the information processing device by the main processor 21 included in the information processing controller in the information processing device when the power is turned on. It is generated based on the number of sub processors 23 to be processed.

  The information processing device type ID includes a value representing the characteristics of the information processing device. The characteristics of the information processing apparatus are, for example, a television, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), a microwave oven, etc., which will be described later. Further, the information processing device type ID may represent a function of the information processing device such as video / audio reproduction and cooking by heat. It is assumed that values representing the characteristics and functions of the information processing apparatus are determined in advance, and it is possible to grasp the characteristics and functions of the information processing apparatus by reading the information processing apparatus type ID.

  The MS (master / slave) status indicates whether the information processing apparatus is operating as a master apparatus or a slave apparatus, as will be described later. When this is set to 0, it operates as a master apparatus. If it is set to 1, it indicates that it is operating as a slave device.

  The main processor operating frequency represents the operating frequency of the main processor 21 in the information processing controller. The main processor usage rate represents the usage rate in the main processor 21 for all programs currently running on the main processor 21. The main processor usage rate is a value representing the ratio of the processing capacity in use to the total processing capacity of the target main processor. For example, the main processor usage rate is calculated by using MIPS, which is a unit for evaluating the processor processing capacity, or per unit time. Calculated based on processor usage time. The same applies to the sub-processor usage rate described later.

  The number of sub-processors represents the number of sub-processors 23 included in the information processing controller. The sub processor ID is an identifier for identifying each sub processor 23 in the information processing controller.

  The sub processor status represents the state of each sub processor 23, and there are states such as “unused”, “reserved”, and “busy”. “unused” indicates that the sub-processor is not currently used and is not reserved for use. “reserved” indicates a reserved state that is not currently used. Busy indicates that it is currently in use.

  The sub-processor usage rate represents the usage rate of the sub-processor for a program that is currently being executed by the sub-processor or that is reserved for execution by the sub-processor. That is, the sub processor usage rate indicates the current usage rate when the sub processor status is busy, and indicates the estimated usage rate that is to be used later when the sub processor status is reserved.

  One set of sub processor ID, sub processor status, and sub processor usage rate is set for one sub processor 23, and the number of sets corresponding to the sub processor 23 in one information processing controller is set.

  The total main memory capacity and the main memory usage represent the total capacity and the currently used capacity of the main memory 26 connected to the information processing controller, respectively.

  The number of external recording units represents the number of external recording units 28 connected to the information processing controller. The external recording unit ID is information that uniquely identifies the external recording unit 28 connected to the information processing controller. The external recording unit type ID represents the type of the external recording unit (for example, hard disk, CD ± RW, DVD ± RW, memory disk, SRAM, ROM, etc.).

  The external recording unit total capacity and the external recording unit usage amount represent the total capacity and the currently used capacity of the external recording unit 28 identified by the external recording unit ID, respectively.

  The external recording unit ID, the external recording unit type ID, the external recording unit total capacity, and the external recording unit usage amount are set for one external recording unit 28 and connected to the information processing controller. The number of sets corresponding to the number of external recording units 28 is set. That is, when a plurality of external recording units are connected to one information processing controller, a different external recording unit ID is assigned to each external recording unit, the external recording unit type ID, the external recording unit total capacity, and the external recording unit Department usage is also managed separately.

  The main processor 21 included in the information processing controller in a certain information processing device generates a software cell having the above configuration and transmits it to the other information processing device and the information processing controller in the device via the network 9. . The transmission source information processing device, the transmission destination information processing device, the response destination information processing device, and the information processing controller in each device are identified by the transmission source ID, the transmission destination ID, and the response destination ID, respectively. .

  The main processor 21 included in the information processing controller in the information processing apparatus that has received the software cell stores the software cell in the main memory 26. Furthermore, the transmission destination main processor 21 reads the software cell and processes the DMA command included therein. Specifically, the transmission destination main processor 21 first executes a load command. As a result, information is loaded from the main memory address instructed by the load command into a predetermined area of the LS 24 in the sub processor identified by the sub processor ID and LS address included in the load command. The information loaded here is a sub-processor program or data included in the received software cell, or other designated data.

  Next, the main processor 21 outputs the kick command together with the program counter included in the kick command to the sub processor indicated by the sub processor ID included therein. The instructed sub processor executes the sub processor program according to the kick command and the program counter. After the execution result is stored in the main memory 26, the main processor 21 is notified that the execution has been completed.

  Note that the processor that executes the software cell in the information processing controller in the information processing apparatus of the transmission destination is not limited to the sub-processor 23, but the main processor 21 executes a program for main memory such as a function program included in the software cell. It can also be specified to execute.

  In this case, the transmission source information processing apparatus includes a main memory program and data processed by the main memory program instead of the sub processor program, and the DMA command is sent to the transmission destination information processing apparatus. A software cell as a load command is transmitted, and the main memory 26 stores the main memory program and data processed thereby. Next, the transmission source information processing apparatus identifies the main processor ID, the main memory address, and the main memory program for the information processing controller in the transmission destination information processing apparatus for the transmission destination information processing apparatus. A software cell that includes an identifier such as a function program ID (to be described later) and a program counter and whose DMA command is a kick command or a function program execution command is transmitted to cause the main processor 21 to execute the main memory program.

  As described above, in the network system of the present invention, the transmission source information processing apparatus transmits the sub processor program or the main memory program to the transmission destination information processing apparatus by the software cell, and transmits the sub processor program to the transmission destination. It is possible to load the sub processor 23 included in the information processing controller in the information processing apparatus and cause the information processing apparatus of the transmission destination to execute the sub processor program or the main memory program.

  When the program included in the received software cell is a sub processor program, the information processing controller in the transmission destination information processing apparatus loads the sub processor program to the designated sub processor. Then, the sub processor program or the main memory program included in the software cell is executed. Therefore, even if the user does not operate the transmission destination information processing apparatus, the sub processor program or the main memory program can be automatically executed by the information processing controller in the transmission destination information processing apparatus.

  In this way, when the information processing controller in its own device does not have a main memory program such as a sub processor program or a function program, the information processing device can receive information from other information processing devices connected to the network. Can be obtained. Furthermore, data is transferred between the sub-processors by the DMA method, and the above-described sandbox is used, so that even when it is necessary to process data in multiple stages within one information processing controller, high speed and high security are achieved. The process can be executed.

  As a result of distributed processing using software cells, a plurality of information processing apparatuses 1, 2, 3, 4 connected to the network 9 as shown in the upper part of FIG. It operates as a single information processing device 7. However, for this purpose, the following processing needs to be executed by the following configuration.

  FIG. 6 shows the configuration of software stored in the main memory 26 of each information processing controller. These software (programs) are recorded in the external recording unit 28 connected to the information processing controller before the information processing apparatus is turned on. Each program is categorized into a control program, a function program, and a device driver according to functions or features.

  The control program is the same for each information processing controller, and is executed by the main processor 21 of each information processing controller, and includes an MS (master / slave) manager and a capacity exchange program described later.

  The function program is executed by the main processor 21, and a function program corresponding to the information processing apparatus is provided for each information processing controller such as recording, reproduction, and material search.

  The device driver is for input / output (transmission / reception) of the information processing controller (information processing apparatus), such as broadcast reception, monitor output, bit stream input / output, network input / output, etc. Provided.

  When the information processing apparatus is physically connected to the network 9 and the main power is turned on, and the information processing apparatus is electrically and functionally connected to the network 9, the information processing apparatus The main processor 21 of the information processing controller loads each program belonging to the control program and each program belonging to the device driver into the main memory 26.

  As a loading procedure, the main processor 21 first reads a program from the external recording unit 28 by causing the DC 27 to execute a read command, and then causes the DMAC 25 to execute a write command to load the program into the main memory 26. Write to.

  As for each program belonging to the function program, it may be configured to load only the necessary program when necessary, or like the programs belonging to other categories, each program is loaded immediately after the main power is turned on. You may comprise as follows.

  Here, each program belonging to the function program does not need to be recorded in the external recording unit 28 of all information processing apparatuses connected to the network, and is recorded in the external recording unit 28 of any one information processing apparatus. If so, it can be loaded from another information processing apparatus by the above-described method. As a result, the function program is executed as one virtual information processing apparatus 7 as shown in the lower part of FIG. Can do.

  Further, as described above, the function program processed by the main processor 21 may cooperate with the sub processor program processed by the sub processor 23. Therefore, when the main processor 21 reads out the function program from the external recording unit 28 and writes it to the main memory 26, when there is a sub processor program that operates in cooperation with the target function program, the sub processor program also includes the same main program. It is assumed that data is written in the memory 26. In this case, there may be one or more sub-processor programs that operate in cooperation with each other. If there are a plurality of sub-processor programs, all the sub-processor programs operating in cooperation are written in the main memory 26. The sub processor program written in the main memory 26 is then written in the LS 24 in the sub processor 23 and operates in cooperation with the function program processed by the main processor 21.

  As shown in the software cell of FIG. 3, an identifier that can uniquely identify the program for each program is assigned to the function program as the function program ID. The function program ID is determined from the creation date and time, the information processing apparatus ID, and the like at the stage of creating the function program.

  A sub processor program ID is also assigned to the sub processor program, whereby the sub processor program can be uniquely identified. The assigned sub processor program ID is an identifier related to the function program ID of the function program that is the partner of the cooperative operation, for example, the function program ID as a parent number and a branch number added at the end. There may be an identifier that is not related to the function program ID of the function program that is the partner of the cooperative operation. In any case, when the function program and the sub processor program operate in cooperation, it is necessary to store the program ID which is the identifier of the other party in the own program. Even when the function program operates in cooperation with a plurality of sub processor programs, the function program stores the sub processor program IDs of all the sub processor programs.

  The main processor 21 secures an area for storing device information (information regarding the operation state) of the information processing device on which the main processor 21 operates in the main memory 26, and records the information as a device information table of the own device. The device information here is each piece of information below the information processing device ID shown in FIG.

  In the network system described above, when the main power supply to a certain information processing apparatus is turned on, the main processor 21 of the information processing controller of the information processing apparatus loads a master / slave manager (hereinafter referred to as MS manager) into the main memory 26 and executes it. To do.

  When the MS manager detects that the information processing apparatus on which it operates is connected to the network 9, it confirms the existence of another information processing apparatus connected to the same network 9. The “connection” or “existence” here means that the information processing apparatus is not only physically connected to the network 9 but also electrically and functionally connected to the network 9 as described above. Indicates. In addition, an information processing apparatus in which the device operates is referred to as a self device, and another information processing device is referred to as another device. The apparatus also indicates the information processing apparatus.

  A method in which the MS manager confirms the existence of another information processing apparatus connected to the same network 9 will be described below.

  The MS manager generates a software cell in which the DMA command is a status request command, the transmission source ID and the response destination ID are the information processing apparatus, and the transmission destination ID is not specified, and the network manager is connected to the information processing apparatus. To set a timer for network connection confirmation. The timeout time of the timer is, for example, 10 minutes.

  When another information processing apparatus is connected to the network system, the other apparatus receives the software cell of the status request command, and sends it to the information processing apparatus that has issued the status request command specified by the response destination ID. On the other hand, the DMA command is a status return command, and a software cell including device information of itself (other device) is transmitted as data. The software cell of the status reply command includes at least information for identifying the other device (information processing device ID, information on the main processor, information on the sub processor, etc.) and the MS status of the other device.

  The MS manager of the information processing apparatus that has issued the status request command monitors the reception of the software cell of the status reply command transmitted from another apparatus on the network until the timer for network connection confirmation times out. As a result, when the status reply command indicating the MS status = 0 (master device) is received, the MS status in the device information table of the own device is set to 1. Thus, the device becomes a slave device.

  On the other hand, if no status reply command is received before the network connection confirmation timer times out, or if no status reply command indicating MS status = 0 (master device) is received, The MS status in the device information table of the own device is set to 0. This makes the device a master device.

  That is, if no information processing apparatus is connected to the network 9 in a state where none of the apparatuses is connected to the network 9 or a master apparatus does not exist on the network 9, the apparatus automatically becomes the master apparatus. Set as On the other hand, when a new information processing apparatus is connected to the network 9 in a state where a master apparatus already exists on the network 9, the apparatus is automatically set as a slave apparatus.

  For both the master device and the slave device, the MS manager periodically monitors the status of the other device by sending a status request command to the other device on the network 9 and inquiring status information. As a result, the main power supply of the information processing apparatus connected to the network 9 is cut off or the information processing apparatus is disconnected from the network 9, so that the status from a specific other apparatus within a predetermined period set in advance for determination When there is a change in the connection state of the network 9, such as when a reply command is not returned or when a new information processing apparatus is connected to the network 9, the information is notified to the ability exchange program described later. .

  When the main processor 21 receives an inquiry from another manager on the network 9 and a notification of completion of setting the MS status of the own apparatus from the MS manager, the main processor 21 executes the capability exchange program.

  When the own device is a master device, the capability exchange program acquires device information of all other devices connected to the network 9, that is, device information of each slave device. As described above, the device information of another device is generated by generating a software cell in which the DMA command is a status request command and transmitting it to the other device. Thereafter, the DMA command is a status return command and data of the other device. This is possible by receiving a software cell containing device information from another device.

  Similar to the device information table of the own device that is the master device, the capability exchange program sets an area for storing device information of all other devices (each slave device) connected to the network 9 as the main memory of the own device. This information is recorded in a device information table of another device (slave device). That is, the device information of all information processing devices connected to the network 9 including the device itself is recorded in the main memory 26 of the master device as a device information table.

  On the other hand, when the own device is a slave device, the capability exchange program acquires device information of all other devices connected to the network 9, that is, device information of each slave device other than the master device and the own device. The information processing apparatus ID and the MS status included in the apparatus information are recorded in the main memory 26 of the own apparatus. That is, the device information of the own device is recorded as a device information table in the main memory 26 of the slave device, and the master device connected to the network 9 other than the own device and the information processing device ID for each slave device. And the MS status are recorded as another device information table.

  Further, in both the master device and the slave device, when the capability exchange program is notified from the MS manager that the information processing device is newly connected to the network 9 as described above, the device of the information processing device Information is acquired and recorded in the main memory 26 as described above.

  Note that the MS manager and the capability exchange program are not limited to being executed by the main processor 21, but may be executed by any of the sub processors 23. The MS manager and the capability exchange program are preferably resident programs that always operate while the main power supply of the information processing apparatus is turned on.

  For both the master device and the slave device, the capability exchange program causes the MS manager to cut off the main power supply of the information processing device connected to the network 9 or disconnect the information processing device from the network 9 as described above. When it is notified, the apparatus information table of the information processing apparatus is deleted from the main memory 26 of the own apparatus.

  Further, when the information processing apparatus disconnected from the network 9 is a master apparatus, a new master apparatus is determined by the following method.

  Specifically, for example, each of the information processing apparatuses that are not disconnected from the network 9 replaces the information processing apparatus ID of the own apparatus and the other apparatus with a numerical value, and sets the information processing apparatus ID of the own apparatus to the information processing of the other apparatus. If the information processing device ID of the own device is the smallest among the information processing devices not disconnected from the network 9 as compared with the device ID, the slave device moves to the master device and sets the MS status to 0. As described above, device information of all other devices (each slave device) connected to the network 9 is acquired and recorded in the main memory 26 as a master device.

  As shown in the lower part of FIG. 5, in order for a plurality of information processing devices 1, 2, 3, 4 connected to the network 9 to operate as a single virtual information processing device 7, the master device is a user. It is necessary to grasp the operation of the slave device and the operating state of the slave device.

  FIG. 7 shows a state in which four information processing apparatuses operate as one virtual information processing apparatus 7. It is assumed that the information processing device 1 is operating as a master device, and the information processing devices 2, 3, and 4 are operating as slave devices A, B, and C.

  When the user operates an information processing device connected to the network 9, if the operation target is the master device 1, the operation information is directly grasped by the master device 1, and if the operation target is a slave device, The operation information is transmitted from the operated slave device to the master device 1. That is, regardless of whether the user's operation target is the master device 1 or the slave device, the operation information is always grasped by the master device 1. The operation information is transmitted, for example, by a software cell whose DMA command is an operation information transmission command.

  Then, the main processor 21-1 included in the information processing controller 11 in the master device 1 selects a function program to be executed according to the operation information. At that time, if necessary, the main processor 21-1 included in the information processing controller 11 in the master device 1 may transfer the main memory 26-1 from the external recording units 28-1 and 28-2 of the own device by the above method. However, another information processing device (slave device) may transmit the function program to the master device 1.

  In the function program, information processing device type IDs represented as information shown in FIG. 4, main processor or sub-processor processing capacity, main memory usage, and conditions related to the external recording unit are required for each execution unit. The required specifications regarding the device are defined.

  The main processor 21-1 included in the information processing controller 11 in the master device 1 reads out the required specifications necessary for each function program. Further, the device information table of each information processing device is read by referring to the device information table previously recorded in the main memory 26-1 by the capability exchange program. The device information here is information related to the main processor, sub-processor, main memory, and external recording unit.

  The main processor 21-1 included in the information processing controller 11 in the master device 1 sequentially compares the device information of each information processing device connected on the network 9 with the required specifications necessary for executing the function program. To do.

  For example, when the function program requires a recording function, only the information processing apparatus having the recording function is specified and extracted based on the information processing apparatus type ID. Furthermore, a slave device that can secure the conditions regarding the processing capability of the main processor or sub processor, the amount of main memory used, and the external recording unit necessary for executing the function program is specified as an execution request candidate device. Here, when a plurality of execution request candidate devices are specified, one execution request candidate device is specified and selected from the candidate devices.

  When the slave device to be executed is specified, the main processor 21-1 included in the information processing controller 11 in the master device 1 sets the main memory included in the information processing controller 11 in the own device for the specified slave device. The device information table of the slave device recorded in 26-1 is updated.

  Further, the main processor 21-1 included in the information processing controller 11 in the master device 1 generates a software cell whose DMA command is a load command and a kick command, and the cell interface of the software cell needs a function program necessary. The sub processor information and the sandbox size (see FIG. 3) are set and transmitted to the slave device requested to execute.

  The slave device requested to execute the function program executes the function program and updates the device information table of the own device. At that time, if necessary, the main processor 21 included in the information processing controller in the slave device, from the external recording unit 28 of the own device to the main memory 26 by the above method, the function program and the sub-operation that operates in cooperation with the function program. Load the processor program.

  When the required function program or the sub processor program that operates in cooperation with the function program is not recorded in the external recording unit 28 of the slave device requested to execute the function program, the other information processing apparatus Alternatively, the system may be configured to transmit the sub processor program to the slave device that is the function program execution request destination.

  The sub-processor program can be executed by another information processing apparatus using the aforementioned load command and kick command.

  After the execution of the function program, the main processor 21 included in the information processing controller in the slave device that has executed the function program transmits an end notification to the main processor 21-1 included in the information processing controller 11 in the master device 1. At the same time, the device information table of the own device is updated. The main processor 21-1 included in the information processing controller 11 in the master device 1 receives the end notification and updates the device information table of the slave device that has executed the function program.

  The main processor 21-1 included in the information processing controller 11 in the master device 1 identifies itself as an information processing device that can execute the function program from the reference result of the device information table of the own device and the other device. There is also a case of selecting. In that case, the master device 1 executes the function program.

  In the example of FIG. 7, the case where the user operates the slave device A (information processing device 2) and another slave device B (information processing device 3) executes a function program according to the operation is described with reference to FIG. An example of the distributed processing will be described.

  In the example of FIG. 8, when the user operates the slave device A, distributed processing of the entire network system including the slave device A starts. First, in step 81, the slave device A transmits the operation information to the master device. 1 to send.

  In step 72, the master device 1 receives the operation information, and further proceeds to step 73, where each information processing is performed from the device information table of the own device and other devices recorded in the main memory 26-1 of the own device. The operating state of the apparatus is checked, and an information processing apparatus that can execute a function program corresponding to the received operation information is selected. This example is a case where the slave device B is selected.

  Next, in step 74, the master device 1 requests the selected slave device B to execute the function program.

  In step 95, the slave device B receives the execution request, and further proceeds to step 96 to execute the function program requested to be executed.

  As described above, by operating only one information processing apparatus, the user operates a plurality of information processing apparatuses 1, 2, 3, and 4 without operating other information processing apparatuses. The information processing apparatus 7 can be operated.

  Next, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a home network system will be described on the premise of the network system as described above.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a system configuration in the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, a server 31, a television 32, a microwave oven 33, a washing machine 34, and a speaker 36 are installed in the room, and each of the users A and B has a wireless LAN terminal 35 (35a). And 35b). The above devices can perform communication via a wireless local area network (LAN).

  The server 31 receives notification signals from the devices such as the television 32, the microwave oven 33, the washing machine 34, etc. (hereinafter also simply referred to as devices) and manages them collectively. After determining the relationship between the notification signal and the user, provision information is generated from the notification signal, and the speaker 36 in the vicinity of the user is selected so that the provision information is provided only to the user. Then, the provided information is transmitted to the speaker 36 for reproduction as sound.

  The television 32 transmits the received television broadcast sound signal to the server 31 as a notification signal, and the microwave oven 33 and the washing machine 34 notify the user of the completion of cooking or the completion of washing, for example, as the notification signal. Are transmitted to the server 31, respectively. The sound signal may be, for example, a sound such as “cooking is completed” or “washing is completed”, or may be a simple sound effect.

  The wireless LAN terminal 35 is a portable terminal such as a PDA or a mobile phone, and detects the current position information of the user when the user is indoors and transmits the position information to the server 31 via the wireless LAN. can do. Specifically, the wireless LAN terminal 35 uses a wireless LAN signal that propagates between base stations (wireless LAN access points, not shown) installed in an arbitrary place in the room, for example, trilateral surveying, etc. It is possible to detect the position of itself in the room with high accuracy, and transmit the detected position information to the server 31.

  A plurality of speakers 36 are installed so as to be scattered in an arbitrary place in the room (36a, 36b, 36c...), Receive a request for reproducing an acoustic signal as provided information from the server 31, and reproduce the acoustic signal. . The speaker 36 has a characteristic that a sound wave easily travels straight and does not diffuse to the periphery by a technology called a plane wave speaker, and only a user in the vicinity of the speaker 36 can reproduce sound at a pinpoint.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an electrical configuration of the home network system. Parts having the same configuration as in FIG. 1 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in the figure, in this network system, a server 31, a television 32, a microwave oven 33, a washing machine 34, a wireless LAN terminal 35, and a speaker 36 are connected by a wireless LAN, and can communicate with each other. ing. Further, the server 31 functions as the information processing apparatus 1 in FIG. 1 and the like, the television 32 functions as the information processing apparatus 2, and other devices similarly function as the information processing apparatus. Each information processing apparatus has an information processing controller including the above-described main processor and sub-processor, and can execute software cells and exchange various data using the DMA command or the like.

  The server 31 includes a communication unit 41, a position information acquisition unit 42, and a provided information processing unit 43 on a bus 45 connected to the bus 29-1 of the information processing controller 11. In addition, a provision information database 44 is connected to the provision information processing unit 43.

  The communication unit 41 communicates with each device such as the television 32 and the microwave oven 33 via the LAN, and serves as an interface when receiving a notification signal from the device. The communication unit 41 also communicates with each speaker 36 and transmits the provision information to be provided to the user to the speaker 36.

  The location information acquisition unit 42 acquires location information of each user in the room by communicating with the wireless LAN terminal 35 carried by each user via a wireless LAN. Moreover, the speaker 36 for providing provision information to a user is determined from the position information, and the determined speaker 36 is notified to the communication unit 41.

  The provision information processing unit 43 refers to a provision information database 44 to be described later, determines the relationship between the notification signal and the user, searches for a provision target of the provision information, and provides the provision information based on the notification signal. Is generated. Then, the communication unit 41 is requested to transmit the generated provided information to each speaker 36 for reproduction.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing details of data stored in the provision information database 44.

  As shown in the figure, the provision information database 44 includes information notification device data, provision target person data, importance level data, providing information data, and pending provision signal data.

  The information notification device data is further divided into data of an information notification device ID, an information notification device name, a device mode, and a provider ID. The information notification device ID is an ID for identifying the information notification device, and the information notification device name is a name of the device such as “TV” or “microwave oven”. In the device mode, information on whether the device is a shared device used by a plurality of users or a personal device used by a specific individual is registered. For example, if the television 32 is a shared device and only the mother cooks at home, the microwave oven 33 is registered as the mother's personal device. The provision target person ID identifies a target user who provides a notification signal from the information notification device as provision information. There are as many pieces of information notification device data as there are indoor information notification devices.

  The provision target person data includes the provision target person ID, the provision target person name, the volume data, the voice data, the language data, the preference data, and the current position data. The provision subject name is literally the name of the user who is the provision subject. The volume data is volume data used when providing information to the provision target person. For example, a numerical value or a favorite volume of the provision target person such as large, medium, or small is registered in advance. The voice data is voice data used when providing information to the information provider. For example, different sound effects are registered for each information provider. As the preference data, for example, preference information of the information provider such as “music”, “sports”, or “dislikes television” is registered. The provision target person data exists as many as the number of users who use each device, and is used to determine which user is necessary information when providing information on each device to the user.

  The importance level data includes the information notification device ID, the provision target person ID, and the importance level. The importance level represents the importance level of the information of the corresponding information notification device for each provision target person. The importance data is used as priority data of each device for each provision target when a plurality of devices simultaneously transmit notification signals to the server 31. That is, when a notification signal is transmitted from a plurality of devices, provision information related to the device having the higher importance is preferentially provided, and provision information related to the remaining device is provided as soon as the provision ends. The data also exists as many as the number of information notification devices.

  The in-provision information data includes the information notification device ID, the provision target person ID, and the in-provision information content of the information notification device that is currently providing the provision information. The information content being provided is information such as “music” in the case of information on the television 32, for example. Whether the information provided to one user is provided to other users in comparison with the preference data. It is used when judging. If there is a plurality of pieces of information being provided, the number of such data exists.

  The pending provision information data includes the information notification device ID of the information notification device that is currently suspended to generate and provide the provision information, the provision target person ID, and the pending notification signal data. Notification signal data pending provision is provided information, for example, when the provision target person is not in the room, but has already received the notification signal from the device, but until the provision target person enters the room The data related to the notification signal for suspending the generation and provision of. Details of the notification signal hold processing will be described later.

  Each of the above data can be associated with each other by using, for example, a provider ID that is common to all the data.

  Next, the DMA command transmitted when the server 31, the television 32, the microwave oven 33, and the wireless LAN terminal 35 as the information processing apparatus exchange information will be described. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a DMA command transmitted by each apparatus as part of a software cell in the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, when receiving a television broadcast, the television 32 transmits a program content transmission command to the server 31 as a DMA command. The program content transmission command includes, as data, an information notification device ID for identifying the television 32, program type data, and program content data as the notification signal. The program type data is, for example, a type such as “music” or “sports”, and is used when the preference analysis of each user is performed in comparison with the preference data. The program content data is an audio signal received by the television 32, for example, and is data serving as a basis of provided information reproduced through the speaker 36. Note that the television 32 may transmit a video signal as program content data to the server 31 so that the server 31 determines the preference of each user by image analysis, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the microwave oven 33 transmits a cooking completion notification command to the server 31 when cooking such as grilling is completed. The cooking completion notification command includes, as data, an information notification device ID for identifying the microwave oven 33 and completion notification data as a notification signal for notifying cooking completion information. The completion notification data may be any data as long as the server 31 can recognize the completion of cooking in the microwave oven 33, such as voice data such as “cooking is completed” or text data.

  As shown in FIG. 3C, when the wireless LAN terminal 35 detects the position of the user carrying the terminal in the room, the wireless LAN terminal 35 transmits a position information notification command to the server 31. The location information notification command includes, as data, a provision target person ID for identifying the user and location data of the user. The position data is, for example, indoor coordinate data.

  As shown in FIG. 4D, when the server 31 receives the notification signal from the device and receives the user location data from the wireless LAN terminal 35, the server 31 provides information to the user. The speaker 36 is selected and a sound reproduction request command is transmitted. The sound reproduction request command includes reproduction sound data, position data, and volume data as data. The reproduced sound data is the sound signal itself reproduced as provided information. The speaker 36 that has received the sound reproduction request command outputs an acoustic signal so that sound is reproduced at the position with reference to the position data, and is output so as to be reproduced at the volume with reference to the volume data. To do.

  Next, the operation of the server 31 when providing provided information to the user in the system configured as described above will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation.

  As shown in the figure, first, the server 31 receives the DMA command including a notification signal and other data from devices such as the television 32 and the microwave oven 33 via the communication unit 41 (step 51). Then, the provision information processing unit 43 refers to the provision information database 44 and searches for a target person to be provided by generating provision information from the notification signal (step 52). Specifically, the provider is determined from the association with the provision target person ID with reference to the information notification device ID and the information notification device data included in the received data. In the case of provision information from a shared device such as the television 32, the contents of the program received by the television 32 are compared with the preference data of each provision target person, For example, a user whose music does not meet his preference from the program contents is removed from the provision target.

  Subsequently, the server 31 confirms whether or not the position information acquisition unit 42 has acquired the determined position data of the person to be provided (step 53). That is, there is a transmission of a location information notification command including location data from the wireless LAN terminal 35 carried by the provider, and it is confirmed whether or not the current location data of the provider data is registered, and the location data is registered. If yes (YES in step 53), the provision information processing unit 43 generates provision information for causing the speaker 36 to reproduce the sound as sound for the determined provision subject (step 54). Specifically, the sound for determining the volume, sound, language, and the like when the provided information is reproduced as sound by the provided person with reference to the provided person data, and finally reproduced by the speaker 36 Generate a signal. When the notification signal is, for example, text data or image data other than the acoustic signal, the provided information processing unit 43 converts the notification signal into an acoustic signal representing the contents of the information. For example, when the notification signal from the microwave oven 33 is text data “cooking completed”, for example, the data is converted into an acoustic signal “cooking completed”. Also, when a video signal is received from the television 32, the video is analyzed to recognize a person in the video, for example, You may make it produce | generate the acoustic signal which notifies that it is appearing on television. These conversion processes can be realized, for example, by storing data necessary for conversion in the provided information database 44 in advance.

  Next, the position information acquisition unit 42 of the server 31 selects a speaker closest to the position of the provision target person so that only the provision target person can hear sound based on the acquired position data ( Step 56). In addition, when selecting a speaker from the said position data, specifically, it processes as follows.

  That is, the room is regarded as a matrix as shown in FIG. 14, and squares such as A-1, B-2, and C-3 are set as units of places where sound is reproduced. Then, it is confirmed which grid on the matrix the acquired position data belongs to, and the speaker 36 closest to the grid is selected. Alternatively, the grid and the speaker 36 to be played back when the user is positioned in the grid may be set in advance in association with each other. For example, when the provision target person is located at A-1, A-2, B-1, and B-2, the speaker 36a is connected to A-3, A-4, A-5, B-3, B-4. , B-5 and C-4 are set to be reproduced from the speaker 36b.

  Then, the sound reproduction request command including the sound signal as the provision information is transmitted to the speaker 36 selected by the server 31 through the communication unit 41 (step 57). Accordingly, the provided information is reproduced so that it can be heard only from the speaker 36 to the determined information provider.

  If the location information acquisition unit 42 cannot acquire the location data of the person to be provided in step 53 (NO in step 53), the provision information processing unit 43 provides the received notification signal and the like on hold. It is stored as information data (step 54). The held notification signal is generated as provision information as soon as the position data can be acquired, and is provided from a speaker selected according to the user's position data.

  With the above operation, even when there are a plurality of devices and users in the same space, the relevance between the notification signal received from the device and the user is determined according to the usage mode of each user's device. Therefore, only necessary information can be appropriately provided to each user. In addition, since the provided information cannot be heard by other users, other users can avoid obtaining useless information.

  In addition, when the location data of the user who is the provision target cannot be obtained, that is, when the user is not in the room, a notification signal from a device relevant to the user is temporarily stored, and the user As soon as the user's location data can be obtained, provision information can be generated and provided from the notification signal, so that the user misses the provision information even if the user is not in the room when the notification signal is transmitted from the device. Can be acquired without any problem.

  Next, the above operation will be described in more detail using a specific example. FIGS. 15A and 15B are diagrams showing a list of information of the information notification device and the provision target person in this example. As shown in FIG. 2A, there are a television 32, a microwave oven 33, and a washing machine 34 as information notification devices in the room. The television 32 is a shared device, the microwave oven 33 is Mr. B's personal device, and the washing machine 34. Is Mr. C's personal device. Also, as shown in FIG. 5B, Mr. C does not like a large volume, so the volume is set to a medium level. For example, Mr. C is a foreigner, and therefore provides information in English. As preference data, Mr. A likes music, B likes movies and dramas, and C likes music and sports.

  Under such conditions, first, an example in which information is provided to two people, Mr. A who was originally in the room and Mr. B who has entered the room later, will be described. FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of information exchanged between the devices in this example.

  As shown in the figure, when Mr. A first enters the room, the position data is transmitted to the position information acquisition unit 42 of the server 31 from the wireless LAN terminal 35a carried by Mr. A together with the providing person ID of Mr. A. , A is registered as the current position data. Thereafter, when Mr. A turns on the power of the television 32, a television acoustic signal is transmitted from the television 32 to the communication unit 41 of the server 31 as a notification signal together with program content information, information providing device ID, and the like. In this example, it is assumed that the program content is a music program. The notification signal or the like is sent from the communication unit 41 to the provided information processing unit 43.

  The provision information processing unit 43 refers to the provision information database 44 and determines a provision target person who provides provision information. In this example, since the server 31 detects that only Mr. A exists in the room at the present time and that the music matches Mr. A's preference, the room including the speaker 36f in the vicinity of Mr. A The sound signals of the television 32 are transmitted as provided information to all the speakers 36a to 36h. Then, the speakers 36a to 36h set the volume to 10, and reproduce the sound signal by multi-channel surround such as 5.1ch. In the case of a music program, regarding the sound and language, if the language is set to Japanese, the audio signal of the program is transmitted as it is.

  Thereafter, when Mr. B enters the room, position data is transmitted to the position information acquisition unit 42 of the server 31 from the wireless LAN terminal 35b carried by Mr. B. At this time, since the television 32 is registered in the information data being provided in the provided information database 44 of the server 31, the provided information processing unit 43 of the server 31 provides the provided information of the television 32 to Mr. B. Judge whether to do. That is, the provided information processing unit 43 refers to the preference data in the provision target person data, detects that no music is included in Mr. B's preference data, and causes only Mr. A to reproduce the sound of the television 32. Thus, the speaker 36 is switched.

  Specifically, the provided information processing unit 43 refers to the current position data in the provision target person data. For example, when Mr. A and Mr. B exist at the position of FIG. In order to reproduce the sound of the television 32 only by the speaker 36 f closest to the position of, the other speaker 36 is requested to stop the reproduction process via the communication unit 41. Accordingly, only the speaker 36f closest to Mr. A reproduces the sound of the television, and the speakers 36g, 36h, etc. in the vicinity of Mr. B do not reproduce, so that only Mr. A can hear the sound of the television.

  Thereafter, for example, when Mr. B cooks using the microwave oven 33, the microwave oven 33 detects the completion of cooking after a predetermined time has passed, and the server 31 sends a cooking completion notification signal together with information such as the information notification device ID. To the communication unit 41. The communication unit 41 transmits the received information to the provided information processing unit 43. The provided information processing unit 43 refers to the provided information database 44 and searches for an information provision target person regarding the microwave oven 33 from the information notification device ID, and detects that the target person is Mr. B. Further, the provided information processing unit 43 searches the provision target person data for the volume and language at the time of notification, determines that the volume for reproducing sound for Mr. B is 10, and the language is Japanese. Although not shown in FIG. 15, it is determined to reproduce a preset voice such as “cooking completed”, for example, and the sound signal is generated.

  Next, the position information acquisition unit 42 confirms that Mr. B exists at the position D-6 in the matrix of FIG. 14 from the received position data, and for example, corresponds to the preset D-6. The speaker 36h is selected. Then, by transmitting an acoustic signal as provided information to the speaker 36h via the communication unit 41, the provided information of the microwave oven 33 is provided only to Mr. B from the speaker 36h.

  Next, as another example of the conditions in FIG. 15, an example will be described in which when a notification signal is transmitted from the information notification device to the server 31, there is no provision target person corresponding to the notification signal in the room. In this example, information is provided to two people, Mr. A who was originally in the room and Mr. C who has entered the room later. FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of information exchanged between the devices in this example.

  As shown in the figure, first, the sound information of the music program on the television is provided to Mr. A by the same processing as in the case of FIG. During the reproduction, the washing machine 34 notifies the communication unit 41 of the server 31 of a washing completion notification signal together with information such as the information notification device ID. The communication unit 41 transmits the received information to the provided information processing unit 43. The provided information processing unit 43 refers to the provided information database 44, searches the information notification device ID for a person to whom the information related to the washing machine 34 is provided, and detects that the person is Mr. C. At this time, since there is no transmission of position data from the wireless LAN terminal 35c carried by Mr. C, the server 31 detects that Mr. C is not in the room and sends the notification signal from the washing machine 34 to the provided information. Stored in the database 44 as pending provision information data.

  Thereafter, when Mr. C enters the room, position data is transmitted from the wireless LAN terminal 35c carried by Mr. C to the position information acquisition unit 42 of the server 31. Since the notification signal from the washing machine 34 is stored as the hold provision information data, the provision information processing unit 43 starts preparation for generating and providing provision information based on the notification signal. On the other hand, the provided information processing unit 43 determines whether or not the sound of the television currently being played toward Mr. A should also be reproduced by Mr. C. Since the television 32 is registered as a shared device, and the music program matches Mr. C's preference, it is determined that Mr. C needs to reproduce the sound of the television. However, in this case, since the notification signals from the washing machine 34 are also overlapped, the provided information processing unit 43 refers to the importance data and determines which of the devices should be provided with priority. In this example, it is assumed that the priority of the washing machine 34 is set higher than that of the television 32 in the importance data of Mr. C. Accordingly, the provision information processing unit 43 first provides provision information of the washing machine 34. Specifically, the volume, voice, and language for providing the provision information to Mr. C are determined with reference to Mr. C's provision target person data. In the example of FIG. 15, since the volume of Mr. C is set to 5 and the language is set to English, the determination is made according to the setting, and the sound is notified of completion of washing in English such as “Washing is completed.” The sound signal as the provided information is generated by setting the sound or sound effect.

  Subsequently, the position information acquisition unit 42 confirms that, for example, Mr. C exists at the position A-6 in the matrix of FIG. 14 from the received position data of Mr. C. For example, the preset A- 6 Select the corresponding speaker 36c. Then, by transmitting an acoustic signal to the speaker 36c via the communication unit 41, the information provided by the washing machine 34 is provided only to Mr. C from the speaker 36c.

  When the provision of the provision information of the washing machine 34 is completed, the provision information processing unit 43 starts preparation for causing Mr. C to reproduce the sound of the television. Specifically, the volume, sound, and language for reproducing the TV sound are determined in the same manner as described above with reference to the above-mentioned provision data of Mr. C. As described above, it is detected that the volume is 5 and the language is English. For example, when there is an English channel such as the sub-audio of the music program, the sound of the English channel is set to be reproduced.

  Then, the position information acquisition unit 42 selects the speaker 36c based on the acquired position information of Mr. C, and transmits an acoustic signal to the speaker 36c via the communication unit 41, so that the sound of the television is transmitted from the speaker 36c. Is also provided to Mr. C. In this case, Mr. A has a Japanese channel with a volume of 10 and Mr. C has an English channel with a volume of 5. Even if the information is from the same device, the provided information is changed depending on the user's preference, etc. Can be offered at.

  According to the information flow described above, even when there are a plurality of users and devices in the room, only necessary information is appropriately provided to each user according to the usage mode of each user's device.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the example in which the speaker 36 is used as the sound reproducing unit has been described. However, for example, information may be provided using headphones owned by each user. In this case, the address of each user's headphones can be stored in advance in the provision information database, and the provision information can be transmitted from the server 31 to the headphones of each user.

  In the above-described embodiment, the home network system has been described as an example. However, the present invention can be applied to various systems such as offices, public facilities, and amusement facilities where a plurality of devices and users exist. It is.

It is a figure which shows an example of the network system used as one premise in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure with which it uses for description of the information processing controller with which an information processing apparatus is provided. It is a figure which shows an example of a software cell. It is a figure which shows the data area of a software cell when a DMA command is a status reply command. It is a figure which shows a mode that a some information processing apparatus operate | moves as one virtual information processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the software configuration of an information processing controller. It is a figure which shows a mode that four information processing apparatuses operate | move as one virtual information processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of the distributed process in the system of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the system in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the electrical constitution of the home network system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 5 is a diagram showing details of data stored in a provision information database 44. FIG. It is the figure which showed the example of the DMA command which each apparatus transmits as a part of software cell in one Embodiment of this invention. In one Embodiment of this invention, it is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the server 31 at the time of providing provision information to a user. It is a figure which shows the method for the server 31 to select a speaker from position data. It is the figure which showed the information notification apparatus in one Embodiment of this invention, and the list | wrist of the information of a provision subject. It is the sequence diagram which showed an example of the flow of the information exchanged between each apparatus in one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the information flow different from that shown in FIG. 16.

Explanation of symbols

21 ... Main processor 22 ... LS
23 ... Sub-processor 24 ... LS
25 ... DMAC
26 ... Main memory 27 ... DC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 28 ... External recording part 31 ... Server 32 ... Television 33 ... Microwave oven 34 ... Washing machine 35 ... Wireless LAN terminal 36 ... Speaker 41 ... Communication part 42 ... Position information acquisition part 43 ... Provision information processing part 44 ... Provision information database

Claims (12)

Storage means for associating and storing user information related to a user and device information related to a device used by the user in a predetermined space;
Receiving means for receiving a notification signal transmitted from the device;
Determination means for determining the relevance between the notification signal received by the receiving means and the user based on the information stored by the storage means;
Providing information generating means for generating providing information for providing to the user based on the notification signal determined to be relevant by the determining means;
A server apparatus comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit the provision information generated by the provision information generation unit to the sound reproduction unit in order to reproduce the provision information as sound via the sound reproduction unit. The server device according to claim 1,
The storage means stores the user preference information,
The server device further includes a changing unit that changes the provision information to be transmitted to the sound reproduction unit based on the preference information so as to match the preference of the user,
The server device transmits the provision information changed by the changing device to the sound reproducing unit. The server device according to claim 1,
Further comprising confirmation means for confirming the presence of the user in the predetermined space;
The server device transmits the provision information when the confirmation unit confirms the presence of the user in a predetermined space. The server device according to claim 1,
The sound reproducing units are scattered in the predetermined space,
The server device
Obtaining means for obtaining position information of the user;
A first selection unit that selects the sound reproduction unit for reproducing the provided information based on the user position information acquired by the acquisition unit;
The server device, wherein the transmission unit transmits the provision information to the sound reproduction unit selected by the first selection unit. The server device according to claim 4,
The server apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first selection unit selects the sound reproduction unit closest to the position of the user. The server device according to claim 4,
If the acquisition unit could not acquire the location information of the user, further comprising a storage unit that stores the notification signal received by the reception unit,
The server device generates the provision information based on the notification signal stored by the storage device as soon as the acquisition device acquires the location information of the user. The server device according to claim 1,
The storage means stores the user information for each of a plurality of users,
The server device further includes second selection means for selecting a user who should provide the provision information based on user information stored by the storage means, device information, and a notification signal received by the reception means,
The server device is characterized in that the generation unit generates provision information to be provided to the user selected by the second selection unit. The server device according to claim 1,
The storage means stores the device information for each of a plurality of devices, and stores the importance of each device for the user,
The server is characterized in that, according to the degree of importance, the providing information relating to a predetermined device is preferentially transmitted over the providing information relating to other devices. The server device according to claim 1,
The server device, wherein the notification signal transmitted from the device is a notification signal for notifying completion of a predetermined operation performed by the device. The server device according to claim 1,
The server device, wherein the notification signal transmitted from the device is an audio notification signal or a video notification signal received by the device from a broadcasting station. A device having notification signal generation means for generating a notification signal for generating provision information to be provided to a user, and notification signal transmission means for transmitting the notification signal generated by the notification signal generation means;
Storage means for storing user information related to a user and device information related to the device used by the user in a predetermined space, receiving means for receiving the notification signal transmitted from the device, and storage means Based on the stored information, based on the notification signal received by the receiving unit and the notification signal determined to be related by the determination unit, the user determines the relationship between the notification signal received by the receiving unit and the user. Providing information generating means for generating providing information for providing to the transmitting information, and transmitting means for transmitting the providing information generated by the providing information generating means to the sound reproducing section in order to reproduce the sound as sound via the sound reproducing section An acoustic control system comprising: a server device comprising: Storing user information relating to a user and device information relating to a device used by the user in a predetermined space in association with each other;
Receiving a notification signal transmitted from the device;
Determining the relevance between the notification signal received by the receiving means and the user based on the information stored by the storage means;
Generating providing information for providing to the user based on the notification signal determined to be relevant by the determining means;
Transmitting the provision information generated by the provision information generation means to the sound reproduction section in order to reproduce the provision information as sound via the sound reproduction section.

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