JP2002007414A - Voice browser system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a voice browser system by which voice information is acquired independently of image information by constructing the voice information by separate file from the image information. SOLUTION: The voice browser system is provided with a personal computer 13 to be connected with input/output devices such as a microphone 14, a speaker 15, a display device 16 and a keyboard 17. An extension anx to indicate that the file is the one for voice information is added to the file for voice information, when a file with the added anx is read, a voice driving browser reads text of a voice reading tag in the file and jumps to a link destination according to voice input from a user.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a voice browser system in which file contents are read out in a pseudo voice at a client terminal and a file request can be issued by voice to the client terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, a car navigation system or a personal computer brought into a vehicle (hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as "vehicle devices") are provided with parking lot information,
A traffic information providing system that provides traffic congestion information, road information, sightseeing information, and the like through the Internet is being studied. The vehicle driver can call a screen on which the information is posted by using a browser (browser; browsing software) installed in the vehicle-mounted device.

However, for a vehicle driver to obtain information, a predetermined operation of the in-vehicle device is required, so that information cannot be obtained during driving. Therefore, there is a demand for a voice browser system that can perform voice operation so that information can be safely acquired even during driving. On the other hand, conventionally, a voice browser system that can be operated by voice has been proposed (JP-A-11-249).
No. 867). This voice browser system uses a general HTML (hypertext) describing character information and image information.
markup language), a readable portion is extracted from the file, converted into voice data and read to the user, and when the user utters a voice for designating a link, the voice is recognized and the corresponding URL ( uniform resource loca
tor) is specified.

[0004]

The above-mentioned voice browser system is basically an HTM made up of image information.
Since the file is based on the L file, there is a possibility that a part which is not suitable for reading out aloud is read out or a link name which is difficult to specify by voice is used. Also, HTML
Since only the file is used and the file is made to correspond to the sound, the video and the sound cannot be controlled separately. For example, a screen that prompts voice input a plurality of times on the same screen cannot be configured.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to realize a voice browser system capable of acquiring voice information independently of image information by constructing voice information in a file separate from image information. I do.

[0006]

A voice browser system according to the present invention includes voice input / output means, voice recognition / synthesis means, and voice information development processing means, and the voice information file is a voice information file. Is added, and when a file to which a symbol indicating that the file is a voice information file is called, the voice information expansion processing unit performs text-to-speech of a voice-to-speech tag in the file, A jump to a link destination is performed according to a voice input from a user (claim 1).

[0007] According to the above configuration, the voice information can be freely described by using the voice reading tag without considering the image. The voice browser system of the present invention has an image input / output unit, a voice input / output unit, a voice recognition / synthesis unit, a voice information development processing unit, and an image information development processing unit. A symbol indicating that the file is an image information file is added to the image information file, and a symbol indicating that the file is an audio information file is added to the image information file. When called, the voice information expansion processing means reads out the text of the voice readout tag in the file, jumps to the link destination according to the voice input from the user, and indicates that the file is an image information file. When a file to which is added is called, the image information expansion processing means displays a display tag in the file and displays an image from the user. According to the input, and performs a jump to a link destination (claim 2).

According to this configuration, since the image and the sound are separate files, the sound information can be freely described without considering the image, and the image information can be described without considering the sound. You can write freely. 3. The audio browser system according to claim 2, wherein a file for associating information between the audio information and the image information is defined, and when a file to which a symbol indicating that the file is added is called, the file is described in the file. For the audio information file, the text-to-speech tag of the audio-speech tag in the file is read, and a jump to a link destination is performed according to the voice input from the user. For the image information file described in the file, the file The display tag in is displayed, and a jump to a link destination can be performed according to a screen input from a user (claim 3).

According to this configuration, it is possible to construct a file system in which, for example, only all image information is constructed, then audio information suitable for the image is constructed, and the association is defined later. The purpose of the file may be described by the extension of the URL (claim 4). In this case, the type of the file can be distinguished by the difference in extension. The voice information file can be described by, for example, a voice tag, a voice command, and a description of a link destination.

[0010] The image information file can be described in a commonly used HTML language.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall system configuration for implementing the present invention.
The entire system includes an in-vehicle device 1, a server 2, a dedicated network 3 for connecting them, and an Internet 4. The in-vehicle device 1 detects a position based on signals from various sensors 11 such as a GPS receiver, a vehicle speed sensor, and a gyro, and detects a position of the vehicle on a road based on the position and map data stored in a map database. Is determined.

Further, the in-vehicle device 1 captures vehicle position information from the navigation device 12, and also includes a microphone 14, a speaker 15, a display device 16, and a keyboard 17.
And a personal computer 13 connected to an input / output device such as a personal computer. In addition, an input device such as a mouse may be provided in addition to the above. Personal computer 1
Numeral 3 is connected to a dedicated network 3 for an Internet connection service through a portable transceiver 18. Here, the Internet connection service includes, for example, i-mode (Internet connection service of NTT Tidcomo Co., Ltd.), EZweb (Internet connection service of DDI-cellular, Tucar group), J-Sky Web (Internet connection of J-phone group) Connection service), but is not limited to this.
Includes any service that can provide information to the driver through the Internet. Instead of the portable transceiver 18, an arbitrary transceiver such as a car phone or a two-way beacon transceiver can be used.

Further, information (parking lot information, parking lot information, etc.) is provided on each vehicle on the Internet 4 connected to the dedicated network 3.
A server 2 for providing useful information to the driver such as traffic jam information, road information, and sightseeing information) is set. The server 2 stores the information (contents) for audio and the information (contents) for images in separate files 21 and 22, respectively. Information for images is HT
Although described in ML, audio information is in XML (eXtensibl
e Markup Language) based language VINX (Voice I
(nternet Navigation mark-up language based on XML)
Is described.

Further, a file 23 containing information for associating an image with a sound is prepared. The extensions .vnx, .anx or .fnx are used to distinguish the above information. .vnx represents image information, .anx represents audio information, and .fnx represents association information. FIG.
When the in-vehicle device 1 receives information from the server 2, a voice-driven browser (Voice
2 shows a functional block diagram of Activated Browser). The voice-driven browser decodes XML and HTML tags and performs a function according to the definition of each tag. The display content is described in HTML, and the audio content is described in VINX. If the content of the voice tag is a voice synthesis module 135
Is read aloud by synthesized speech

More specifically, when a file is received from the receiving section of the portable transceiver 18, its extension (.vnx, .anx or .fnx) is determined (131). As a result of the determination, if the extension is .vnx, the file is expanded as image information (132), and if the extension is .anx, the file is expanded as audio information (133). If it is .fnx, the associated image information file or audio information file is expanded (134). The developed information is displayed on the screen of the display device 16 according to the type of the information, or is voice-synthesized and loudspeaked from the speaker 15 and transmitted to the driver.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the voice-driven browser when the vehicle-mounted device 1 issues a file request to the server 2. The voice-driven browser specifies the URL based on the content specified by the keyboard 17 while watching the screen 16 of the display device, or the content uttered by the microphone 14 and recognized through the voice recognition module 136 (13).
7) A file request is issued (138). This request is transmitted from the transmission unit of the portable transceiver 18.

FIGS. 4 to 7 are flowcharts showing the flow of executing a process according to the extension attached to the URL when the driver specifies the URL. First, as shown in FIG. 4, when the driver specifies a URL (step S1), the extension attached to the URL is .vnx.anx or .fnx.
, A unique process is performed (step S
2 to S4). The extension is .vnx. In the case of, as shown in FIG. 5, the personal computer 13 performs the image information developing process A. The designated file is read via the Internet (step S21), and processing according to the tag is performed (steps S22 to S24). The contents of the processing include character display, coloring, image file display, table creation, link display, and the like, as usual, and specific examples thereof will be described later.

When the extension is .anx, as shown in FIG.
I do. The designated file is read through the Internet (step S31), and processing according to the tag is performed (steps S32 to S34). The contents of the processing include text-to-speech reading of the voice reading tag, extraction of a voice word (command) for jumping to the link destination of the voice link tag, and the like. If the extension is .fnx, the personal computer 13 performs the association information expanding process as shown in FIG. Read the specified file through the Internet (Step S
41), the tag is taken out (step S42), and if it is a file for image information, the image information expansion processing A of FIG. 5 is performed (steps S43 to S44). Perform information development processing B (step S
45-46).

FIG. 8 is an XML format diagram showing a specific example of the image information file. The title to be displayed is “driver information”, and the contents are “recommended this week”, “drive route information”, and “useful information”. If the driver clicks on any item, the screen changes to the detail screen for that item. For example, if the "Recommended this week" line is clicked, the association information file recommend.end
x is called. FIG. 9 is an XML format diagram showing a specific example of the audio information file. The sentence reads, "Provides useful information to drivers.
Please choose your favorite information. Recommended, drive route, information, you can choose. " When the driver inputs the voice of "Recommended", the voice information file "recommend .anx" is called. When the driver inputs the voice of "drive route", the voice information file "driveroute.anx" is called. Driver is "information"
When any of the voices "useful" and "useful information" is input, the voice information file "useful.anx" is called.

FIG. 10 shows a voice information file "recommend".
FIG. 11 shows an example of reading out the voice information file "driveroute.anx", and FIG.
An example of reading the audio information file "useful.anx" is shown below.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the association information expanding process. The specified file name is the image information file mai
If it is n.vnx, it performs image information expansion processing, and if it is the audio information file main.anx, it performs audio information expansion processing.

FIG. 14 shows a screen displayed on a display device, a voice content spoken by a microphone, and a voice content heard from a speaker, in accordance with the processing illustrated in FIGS.
It is a drawing specifically raised. FIG. 14A is a diagram showing an example of reading out the image information file screen of FIG. 8 and the voice information file of FIG. From this state, if the driver clicks “Recommended” or speaks “Recommended”, the screen changes to the screen shown in FIG. 14 (b), and “Recommended this week is ○○ Hotel in Beppu Onsen. ‥‥” Is uttered. If the driver clicks "Drive Route" or utters the voice of "Drive Route", the screen changes to the screen shown in Fig. 14 (c), and "Drive route information. How about the Wangan Expressway in Osaka?" Is uttered.

If the driver clicks on "useful information" or utters one of the words "information", "useful" or "useful information", the screen shown in FIG. Information will be announced. "". Next, the mode of transition between the image information file and the audio information file according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 15 shows an example in which the image and the sound transition completely synchronously. FIG. 15A shows a state in which the association information file is aaa.fnx, and the associated image information file aaa.vnx and the associated audio information file aaa.anx are open. In this state, if a link is designated to bbb.fnx, the image information file also transits to bbb.vnx, and the audio information file also transits to bbb.anx. Further, from this state, if a link is designated to ccc.fnx, the file for image information also transits to ccc.vnx, and the file for audio information also transits to ccc.anx.

FIG. 16 shows an example in which the sound does not change and only the image changes. FIG. 16A shows a state in which the association information file is aaa.fnx, and the associated image information file aaa.vnx and the associated audio information file aaa.anx are opened. From this state, if a link is specified to the image information file bbb.vnx, the image information file transits to bbb.vnx, but the audio information file remains aaa.anx. Furthermore, from this state, if you specify a link to ccc.fnx, the image information file will also transition to ccc.vnx, and the audio information file will also be ccc.a
Transition to nx.

FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining a specific example in which only an image transitions. In FIG. 17A, a map image of a predetermined scale is displayed. When the command "enlarge" is input, the image information file corresponding to the enlarged map is read out, and the screen is replaced with the enlarged map screen as shown in FIG. 17 (b), but the audio information file is unchanged. It is. FIG. 18 shows an example in which the image does not change and only the sound transitions. FIG. 17A shows that the association information file is aaa.fnx, the associated image information file aaa.vnx, and the associated audio information file aaa.anx.
Indicates the open state. From this state, bbb.an
If a link is specified to the audio information file x, the audio information file transits to bbb.anx, but the image information file remains vvv.anx. Furthermore, from this state, c
If you specify a link to cc.fnx, the image information file will also be ccc.
The file transitions to vnx, and the audio information file also transitions to ccc.anx.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a specific example in which only sound transitions. In FIG. 19A, a map image of a predetermined scale is displayed. If a command "scroll" is input, scrolling cannot be performed during traveling, so a scroll-inhibited voice information file is called, and a voice "cannot be scrolled during traveling." The screen is unchanged as shown in FIG.
The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above embodiments. For example,
In the above embodiment, the extension added to the URL is used for discriminating each piece of information. However, it is also possible to discriminate each information from the header described at the head of the file.

[0027]

As described above, according to the audio browser system of the present invention, since the audio information can be constructed in a file different from the image information, only the audio information can be controlled independently. Therefore, when it is used as an information terminal mounted on a car or the like, it is possible to freely obtain voice information while ensuring the safety of driving, and it is possible to provide a user-friendly system.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication system for implementing a voice browser system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a voice-driven browser when the in-vehicle device 1 receives information from a server 2.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a voice driven browser when the in-vehicle device 1 issues a file request to a server.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of executing each process according to an extension attached to a URL when a driver specifies a URL.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of executing image information processing.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of executing voice information processing.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of executing association information processing.

FIG. 8 is an XML format diagram showing a specific example of an image information file.

FIG. 9 is an XML format diagram showing a specific example of an audio information file.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of reading a voice information file “recommend .anx”.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of reading a voice information file “driveroute.anx”.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of reading a speech information file “useful.anx”.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a specific example of an associating information expanding process.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing specific examples of a screen displayed on a display device, audio content spoken by a microphone, and audio content heard from a speaker, in accordance with the processing illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 12 above.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a mode of transition between an image information file and an audio information file, and shows an example in which an image and an audio transition completely synchronously.

FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining a mode of transition between an image information file and an audio information file, and shows an example in which audio does not change and only an image transitions.

FIG. 17 is a screen diagram for describing a specific example in which only an image transitions.

FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining a mode of transition between an image information file and an audio information file, and shows an example in which an image does not change and only audio transitions.

FIG. 19 is a screen diagram showing a specific example in which only sound transitions.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 In-vehicle device 2 Server 3 Dedicated network 4 Internet 11 Sensor 12 Navigation device 13 Personal computer 14 Microphone 15 Speaker 16 Display device 17 Keyboard 18 Portable transceiver 21, 22, 23 File

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Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A voice information input / output unit, a voice recognition / synthesis unit, and a voice information development processing unit, wherein a symbol indicating that the file is a voice information file is added to the voice information file. The processing means reads out the text of the text-to-speech tag in the file when a file added with a symbol indicating that the file is a voice information file is read, and jumps to a link destination according to voice input from the user. A voice browser system characterized by performing: 2. An audio input / output means, an audio input / output means, a voice recognition / synthesis means, a voice information development processing means and an image information development processing means, wherein the voice information file is a voice information file. Is added to the image information file, and a symbol indicating that the file is an image information file is added to the image information file. When the file is called, the text-to-speech tag in the file is read aloud, and a jump to a link destination is performed according to the voice input from the user. The image information expansion processing means determines that the file is an image information file. When a file to which a symbol is added is called, the display tag in the file is displayed, and the link destination is displayed according to the screen input from the user. Voice browser system which is characterized in that the jump. 3. A file to which a symbol indicating that it is a file for associating audio information with image information is defined, and when the file is called, the file for audio information described in the file is defined. Performs the text-to-speech reading of the text-to-speech tag in the file, jumps to the link destination according to the voice input from the user, and, for the image information file described in the file, the display tag in the file. 3. The voice browser system according to claim 2, wherein the display is performed, and a jump to a link destination is performed in accordance with a screen input from a user. 4. The voice browser system according to claim 1, wherein the use of the file is described by an extension of a URL. 5. The voice browser system according to claim 1, wherein the voice information file is described by a voice tag, a voice command, and a description of a link destination. 6. The voice browser system according to claim 2, wherein the image information file is described in an HTML language.