JP2002236029A - Vocal guidance device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent not only delays in the output timing of important vocal guidance by a vocal guidance which is not so important but also excessive continuation of vocal guidance. SOLUTION: A vocal guidance instruction from a running course/intersection guidance output part 32 and an instruction for the vocal guidance from an internet mail vocal guidance instruction part 60 or the like are outputted to a guiding voice information searching part 66. Guiding voice data for the ID number of the guiding voice and type data, denoting the order of priority, are accumulated at a guiding voice information accumulation part 65. The guiding voice information searching part 66 searches for the guiding voice data for the input ID and the type and outputs the guiding voice data via a voice synthesis part 67. When a voice output duplication determining part 73 determines duplication between the subsequent voice guidance and the preceding voice guidance processing, if the order of priority of the subsequent guiding voice is higher than that of the preceding guiding voice, the output of the preceding guiding voice is canceled by a guiding voice switching part 69, and a processing is carried out for switching over to the output of the subsequent guiding voice or the like.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to, for example, in a navigation device used for a vehicle or the like, when performing various kinds of guidance by voice, an important voice guidance is disturbed by overlapping a plurality of voice guidance outputs. The present invention relates to a voice guidance device that is not provided.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, various types of guidance are provided by voice in various devices. Particularly, in a vehicle navigation device, since a driver who uses the device is often a driver, various types of guidance are provided by a screen or the like. For example, various guidance is often given by voice so as to prevent a trouble in safe driving, for example, by watching while driving. In such a navigation device, a map / information storage medium such as a DVD-ROM in which map data for drawing a map and a place name to be displayed on the map, or information data for searching for a facility or the like is stored. A playback device that reads data from a map information storage medium, a display device that displays a map, etc., a vehicle position that detects the current position of the vehicle and the azimuth of the traveling direction by a self-contained navigation device such as a distance sensor or a gyro, and a GPS receiver It has a detection device, reads out map data including the current position of the vehicle from the map / information storage medium, draws a map image around the vehicle position on a screen of the display device based on the map data, and sets a vehicle position mark. The display is superimposed on the display screen, and the map image can be scrolled and displayed according to the movement of the vehicle. Fixed to or moving the vehicle position mark, the vehicle is to be seen at a glance whether the running where current.

[0003] Further, the navigation device has a route guidance function for enabling a user to easily travel to a desired destination without making a mistake on a road. According to this route guidance function, if a destination or an appropriate transit point is set in advance as needed, the most cost connecting the destination via the transit point set from the departure point as the own vehicle position using the map information is set. Automatically searches for a route with a low route, stores the searched route as a guidance route, draws the guidance route on the map image in a different color from other routes and displays it on the screen while driving, When the user approaches within a certain distance the intersection on the guidance route where the course should be changed, the intersection is zoomed in,
The user is guided to the destination by drawing an arrow or the like indicating the direction in which the course should be changed and displaying it on the screen, or guiding the user to turn right or left by voice.

Further, in addition to the basic functions as described above, a recent navigation device is capable of connecting a mobile phone or the like to take in Internet information, and is also capable of sending and receiving mail. In addition, there are some which take in VICS information by FM broadcasting or a beacon, output traffic jam information, and change the guidance route when there is a large traffic jam on the guidance route. Further, by using a DVD-ROM or the like capable of recording a large amount of data, a large amount of facility information can be recorded. For example, various facilities can be recorded as “parks”, “hot springs”, “restaurants”, “convenience stores”, “ It is classified into genres such as "gas stations", and the location and detailed information of each facility are stored in a database.
When stored in a VD-ROM or the like and a user sets a search range, a genre, and the like, a facility search function for searching for a facility of a specified genre existing within the search target range is also enhanced.

[0005]

As described above, in a recent navigation device capable of presenting various kinds of information, a person who uses the information is a driver as described above. In many cases, it is dangerous to see a lot of such information on the screen while driving, since the driver normally needs to drive carefully around the vehicle.
For this reason, the navigation device has a function of providing voice guidance, and various types of guidance, such as guidance on guidance routes, guidance based on VICS information, guidance for receiving mail, and guidance on facility search results by users, are provided by voice. It can be done by.

[0006] When voice guidance is provided for a guidance route, which is a particularly important function in a navigation device, guidance for an intersection scheduled to make a right / left turn also depends on the distance to the intersection, for example, "The road is more than 10 km ahead." It is 2.5km to the guide point of ". Turn right at the intersection 700m ahead. Please change lane.""Turn right at the next intersection. Then turn left immediately." Various voice guidance is performed.

In the guidance of the guidance route, besides the guidance of the intersection to turn right and left as described above, for example, there is a sharp curve ahead. Please be careful. "There is a railroad crossing ahead. Please be careful."
"It is a mark point.""It deviated from the planned route."
There is a voice guidance that is less important than the voice guidance above, such as "There is an ETC tollgate 1 km ahead. The ETC gate is on the far right."
It's time. Let's take a break. There are also relatively insignificant voice guidance, such as "You're approaching your destination. Guidance will end."

[0008] Also, in the guidance based on VICS information, for example, voice guidance requiring relatively caution, such as "An accident has occurred 2 km ahead", and "Congestion has occurred 5 km ahead." There are voice guidances that should be kept in a certain memory such as "There is road construction in the future 2 km. Alternate traffic in one lane." Some audio guidance is not important.

[0009] In addition, of the various kinds of guidance, for example, regarding the guidance of e-mail, "E-mail has arrived."
In response to an inquiry about the weather forecast on the Internet, voice guidance such as "The weather at the destination is raining in the afternoon."Denny's was found 2 km ahead on the left. "The facility is closed today." The entrance fee for the facility is 2,000 yen. "Voice guidance according to the content of the facility search will be performed. .

[0010] In addition, various guidance of the vehicle may be provided using the voice guidance function of the navigation device.
For example, "The car is approaching too far ahead.""The car is approaching from behind.""The speed is over 30 km."
Voice guidance such as "headlights are off", "gasoline is running low" and "cars sometimes meander" may be given.

[0011] As described above, voice guidance is one of the important functions in the navigation device, and a diversification of the functions of the navigation device tends to provide a larger number of voice guidances. It is an important element in making the navigation device and this car easy to use. In particular, for a driver who often uses such a device, providing appropriate voice guidance is extremely important for safe driving.

When the type and amount of voice guidance are increased as described above, the voice guidance times may be overlapped. At this time, for example, during the operation of the voice guidance previously guided, When a voice guidance operation instruction is input, if the next voice guidance is set to be performed subsequently after the previous voice guidance operation is completed, relatively insignificant and relatively long voice output is performed. For example, even if you are providing mail arrival guidance, facility search result guidance, etc.
Only after the end of the voice guidance, the voice guidance for the approaching right / left intersection or the emergency voice guidance for approaching the car ahead is performed, so the timing of important voice guidance is delayed. It is undesirable and dangerous. Such an interruption in the output of important voice guidance due to the duplication of voice guidance causes a similar problem not only in the above-described navigation device but also in a voice guidance device widely used in the world.

Therefore, according to the present invention, when performing voice guidance, voice guidance can be performed in consideration of the importance of the guidance, and important voice guidance is output after waiting until the output of voice guidance that is not so important is completed. Accordingly, it is a main object to provide a voice guidance device that prevents inappropriate voice guidance from being performed due to delay of voice guidance.

[0014]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a voice guidance apparatus according to the present invention outputs a voice synthesis unit that forms a guidance voice corresponding to a voice guidance instruction, and outputs a guidance voice formed by the voice synthesis unit. A voice external output unit, a voice output duplication determination unit that detects that the next voice guidance instruction has been input before all the guidance voices have been output from the voice external output unit, and a guidance in which a priority type is assigned to each guidance voice A guidance voice type data storage unit that stores voice type data, a guidance voice type search unit that searches for the priority type of a specific guidance voice from the guidance voice type data storage unit, and a voice output process performed by a voice output duplication determination unit. A guide voice switching determining unit that determines a mode of switching a guide voice to be output by comparing the priority type of the previous guide voice and the next guide voice when determining that the voice is overlapped; It is characterized in that a guide audio switching unit for switching the guidance voice to be output from the audio external output unit when performing the determination for switching the guidance voice in parts.

[0015] Further, another voice guidance device according to the present invention includes:
In the guidance voice switching unit, when the priority of the previous guidance voice is high and the next guidance voice has the same priority, the next guidance voice is output after the output of the previous guidance voice is completed. is there.

[0016] Further, another voice guidance device according to the present invention comprises:
The guidance voice switching unit is configured to cancel the output of the next guidance voice when the priority of the preceding guidance voice is high and the priority of the next guidance voice is low.

[0017] Further, another voice guidance device according to the present invention includes:
When the priority of the previous guidance voice is low and the priority of the next guidance voice is high, the guidance voice switching unit cancels the output of the previous guidance voice and outputs the next guidance voice.

Further, another voice guidance device according to the present invention comprises:
In the guidance voice switching unit, when the priority of the preceding guidance voice is low and the next guidance voice has the same priority, the output of the next guidance voice is canceled.

Further, another voice guidance device according to the present invention comprises:
A voice guidance mode setting unit is provided for selectively setting whether or not to output a guidance voice having a low priority in the guidance voice switching unit.

Further, another voice guidance device according to the present invention comprises:
The voice guidance device is used for a navigation device.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 shows an example in which the voice guidance device according to the present invention is applied to a navigation device, and FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a main function part particularly focusing on a voice guidance control part in a navigation control device part. Things. The navigation control device 10 shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1 is provided with a GPS receiver 12 in the same manner as the conventional one, and processes a signal from a satellite received by an antenna 11 to obtain own vehicle position data and store the data. The information is stored in the unit 13. On the other hand, a signal from a self-contained navigation sensor 16 composed of an angle sensor 14 provided in the vehicle and detecting a traveling direction of the vehicle and a distance sensor 15 is transmitted to a vehicle position / azimuth calculation unit 1.
7 to obtain position data obtained by a self-contained navigation sensor.

The vehicle position signal generating unit 18 stores the vehicle position data by the GPS in the data storage unit 13 into the vehicle position data.
Correction is made with the position data in the azimuth detecting unit 17 to obtain accurate vehicle position data. The vehicle position signal obtained by the vehicle position signal generator 18 is output to various functional units in the navigation control device 10 to be described later via the vehicle position data line 19 and is used by each unit.

Remote control 4 attached to navigation device
0, the user's operation signals from the touch panel 41 provided on the display and other various operation switches 42
It is input to the operation signal input unit 43. The signal is transmitted via the operation signal data line 39 to the navigation control device 1.
It is output to various functional units within 0 and is used as a user's instruction signal. In addition, various instruction voices of the operator from the microphone 44 are recognized by the voice recognition unit 45, and as the operation signal input unit 43, the operation signal data line 3
9 and is used as an instruction signal for various functional units described later.

The ROM read control unit 21 stores a large amount of map data, address data, facility information data, etc., based on an instruction signal from the operation signal data line 39 or a vehicle position signal from the vehicle position data line 19. DVD-
Arbitrary data is read from a map / information storage device 20 such as a ROM or a CD-ROM, and necessary data is stored in an information / map buffer 22. The various data in the information / map buffer 22 are output to various functional units in the navigation control device 10 via the information / map data line 26, and are used for various purposes described later.

By inputting such various data, the navigation control device 10 can perform various operations with various functional parts provided therein. For example, in the map drawing section 25, a predetermined Based on the scaled map data, a predetermined map is calculated based on the vehicle position in accordance with the designation of, for example, a bird's-eye view display, a 3D display, etc. from the operation signal input unit 43 input via the display method designation unit 24 Then, related information data such as place name information data and facility names are superimposed on a map as necessary and displayed, and output to the image synthesizing section 27 as a map image.

In the guidance route calculation section 30, the current position data is input from the vehicle position data line 19,
Upon receiving a designation of a destination and a transit point from the operation signal data line 39 and further a search instruction such as expressway priority, various cost calculations are performed to calculate an optimal guidance route. The result is stored in the guidance route memory 31, and the guidance route output unit 33 creates data for guiding the guidance route in various forms. The image data is output to the image synthesizing unit 27 and can be displayed on the image display device 28 while being superimposed on the map.
In addition, the image of the various mark generation unit 34 and the operation screen generation unit 35 are also input to the image synthesis unit 27 as necessary, and synthesized and displayed.

In the traveling route / intersection guidance output section 32, the vehicle position from the vehicle position signal generation section 18 and the information
Based on the map data from the map data line 26 and the guidance route information and the like from the guidance route memory 31, it is determined whether or not the current position of the vehicle has reached the vicinity of a right / left intersection on the guidance route or the like. When this is done, an intersection guidance map is created and output to the image synthesizing unit 27, and is also output to the voice guidance instructing unit 57 of the voice guidance control unit 56, which will be described in detail later. Through the speaker 63, voices such as guidance for an intersection, guidance for entering and exiting an interchange, and guidance for which a right / left intersection does not exist for a while are output.

The navigation control device 10 of the present invention particularly includes a voice guidance control unit 56, and performs the following basic processing. That is, the voice guidance instruction unit 5
In step 7, information for performing various voice guidance as described later is input, and an ID number of a voice pattern corresponding to the voice guidance information is output. Further, if necessary, e.g. Various voice data to be added to or synthesized with the guidance voice are also output. The guidance voice information search unit 66 stores voice data corresponding to the input ID number in the guidance voice information storage unit 6.
5 and retrieves it from a voice synthesis data storage section for guidance (not shown), converts the voice into voice by the voice synthesis section 67, and adds or synthesizes various voice data such as the above-described voice read voice data of the mail. The guidance voice information search unit at this time functions as a voice synthesis data search unit for guidance. The voice synthesis signal is output from the speaker 74 via the voice external output unit 71.

In the guidance voice information storage section 65, type data indicating the priority of voice corresponding to the ID number is recorded in the guidance voice type data storage portion. When reading the audio data corresponding to, the type data is also read.
The guidance voice information search unit at this time functions as a guidance voice type search unit.

In the audio output duplication detecting section 73, a signal of the audio output end detecting section 72 for detecting whether or not the preceding audio output processing has been completed from the audio external output section 71, Based on the signal containing the voice guidance instruction, it is determined whether or not the next voice output request has been received before the previous voice output has not been completed, that is, whether or not the voice output processing has been duplicated. Here, when it is determined that the voice output processing is duplicated, the guidance voice switching determination unit 68 determines whether or not to perform voice switching according to a predetermined determination condition, and outputs the guidance voice in various modes described later. Perform switching processing. At this time, when it is determined that the preceding voice guidance will be performed later based on the determination result of the guidance voice switching determination unit 68, the data of the voice synthesis unit 67 is temporarily stored in the voice memory 70,
After the interrupted voice guidance is completed, the stored voice guidance can be output again.

The voice guidance control unit 56 for performing the above-described basic processing will be described in more detail. The voice guidance instruction unit 57 receives various voice guidance information. From the mobile phone 50 connected to the apparatus 10, Internet information, mail arrival information, and mail read-out data specified via the Internet / mail information input unit 51 are input to the Internet / mail voice guidance instruction unit 60. The Internet mail voice guidance instructing unit 60 receives predetermined information from the guidance voice information storage unit 65, which stores data for actually converting the voice into voice guidance, such as the above-described mail arrival guidance. It outputs ID number data for searching for guidance voice data. Further, when, for example, map-related information, facility-related information, or the like is fetched from the Internet / mail information input unit 51, the data is used by various functional units of the navigation control device 10 as necessary. The information is output to a function unit that needs the information, and various information is displayed on a screen as needed.

As the Internet mail voice guidance instruction, for example, “ID 501” is output to output a call guidance voice “Mail has arrived” in “5. Mail guidance” in FIG. If the user instructs to read the e-mail by voice, according to the instruction, "ID 502" is output to provide a predetermined voice guidance of "speak the contents of the e-mail." thank you for helping me.
〇〇〇〇 ... ] Is output. The text-to-speech information of this mail is sent to the speech
In step 7, the voice is output as a voice following the predetermined voice guidance or during the predetermined voice guidance. When the reading of the mail is started among the voice guidances as described above, the voice guidance control unit 56 continues the voice output process for this for a relatively long time unless another priority voice output instruction is given. Will be done.

In addition to the Internet mail voice guidance instruction, predetermined information is fetched from a homepage connected and designated by the user, and an instruction to guide this by voice can be given. So, for example,
In order to know the weather situation of the destination to be visited from now on, the user instructs to take in the weather forecast of the predetermined area via the Internet, and when voice guidance data exists in it, or voice guidance using Internet reading software can be performed. If possible, as shown in “6. Internet information guidance” in FIG.
"ID 601" is output to provide the prescribed voice guidance of "It is raining from afternoon. ], The voice information of the weather forecast guidance at that point can be output, and the voice synthesis unit 67 can synthesize and output the voice information later.

Also, when the information of the tourist resort information of the designated point is fetched from the Internet and the voice guidance data exists in the information as described above, or when the voice guidance can be performed by the Internet reading software,
For example, as shown in FIG. 2, “ID will be provided for today's resort congestion information.”
602 ", followed by [Nikko region has reached the time of autumn leaves, and the car is 〇〇 ... ] Is output, and the voice synthesizing unit 67 later synthesizes and outputs the information. When the voice guidance of such information is started, as in the case of reading out the mail, unless there is another priority voice output instruction, the voice guidance control unit 56
Then, the audio output process for this is continued for a relatively long time.

As described above, with the spread of the Internet using mobile phones in recent years, various types of information can be obtained from the Internet. In the future, the development of various Internet networks including i-mode, navigation systems for vehicles, etc. It is anticipated that more information will be provided by the Internet information service network and the contents of the Internet service, especially for business use.
This is input to the mail voice guidance instruction section 60, and a large number of voice outputs are made.

On the other hand, VICS information is received by a VICS receiver 52 provided with a receiver such as an FM multiplex broadcast, a radio beacon, and an optical beacon connected to the navigation control device 10, and the received VICS information is input to a VICS information input unit 55. In the same manner as in the related art, the map drawing unit 25, the guide route calculation unit 30, and the like use the information via the information / map data line 26 and can appropriately display the information on the screen. Also,
Information that can provide voice guidance is provided by voice guidance instruction unit 57.
Is input to the VICS voice guidance instructing section 61 to provide necessary guidance by voice.

As a result, for example, it is detected that an accident has occurred on the guidance route based on the received VICS information, and when it is calculated that the point is about [2 km] from the current position, for example, “4. As shown in “VICS information guidance”, “ID 401” for voice guidance “A crash has occurred 2 km ahead” is output. Similarly, based on the traffic congestion information of VICS information, the guidance route data, and the current location data, “ID402” for providing guidance that “congestion has occurred 5 km ahead.” Further, road construction information, guidance route data, and current location Based on the data, "ID 403" is output to provide guidance that "Road construction is being performed 2 km ahead." In addition, if necessary, "There will be no traffic for a while."
"ID404" for providing auxiliary voice guidance such as
Is also output. As described above, various operations are performed in the navigation device based on a large amount of information obtained by receiving the VICS, and information which is easy for the user to understand can be provided by voice. It is conceived to provide courteous and careful voice guidance.

Further, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a device provided with the navigation control device 10 has, for example, a function of monitoring the distance between the front and rear vehicles, a vehicle speed warning function, a fuel warning function, or the like as a monitoring function of the vehicle. The alarm output of the device is transmitted to the vehicle monitoring device information input section 55.
Is input to the vehicle monitoring device voice guidance instruction unit 62 via the. Thereby, for example, when an alarm is input from the front-rear distance warning device, the vehicle is too close to the vehicle in front as shown in "3. Warning guidance from vehicle monitoring device" in FIG.
It outputs the corresponding ID number for voice guidance such as "The car is approaching from behind.""The speed is over 30 km." Or "The gasoline is running low."

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the voice guidance instructing section 57 is further provided with a facility information voice guidance instructing section 63, for example, to search what kind of restaurant the user has from the current location along the driving route of the car. Input to DVD-R
As a result of performing a facility information search in the map / information storage device 20 such as an OM, if it is found that Denny's is located 2 km ahead on the left side as shown in “7. Facility search information guide” in FIG. For example, together with “ID701”, audio output data of [2 km] and [Denny's] are also output. These data are voice-synthesized by a voice synthesizer 67 in a predetermined format and output.

Further, as a result of a search performed by a user to know whether or not a specific aquarium is currently open, a map / map is obtained.
If it is found from the recorded data of the information storage device 20 that the current day is a regular holiday, for example, audio output data of [aquarium] and [this day is a regular holiday] are also output together with “ID702”, and these are later output. Synthesize voice. In addition, when the user wants to know what recreational facilities are present at a specific point to which he / she is going to go, if the information for various recreational facilities is retrieved as a result of performing a search therefor, for example, " The voice data of the retrieved information is output together with the "ID 703", and these are voice-synthesized later.

The guidance information from the traveling route / intersection guidance output unit 32 is further input to the voice guidance instruction unit 57. For example, as shown in "1. Right / left intersection guidance" in FIG. To guide you that there is no
It is over 0km. "ID1" to guide
01 "or" 2.5km to the next guidance point. "
Of "ID102" for providing guidance. Also, when approaching a right / left turn intersection, "ID103" or "ID104" to provide guidance such as "Turn right at the intersection 700m ahead" or "Turn right at the next intersection. Is also output.

From the traveling route / intersection guidance output unit 32, as shown in, for example, "2. Traveling route guidance" in FIG. Yes, please note. "Or simply" There is a curve ahead. "The guidance information for performing voice guidance in a different way of expression is output, and the voice guidance instruction unit 57 for inputting this outputs" ID201 ". Alternatively, “ID 202” is output. In addition, for example, an alarm such as "There is a railroad crossing ahead. Please be careful." Or that the actual vehicle has arrived at the marked point when the user marks the desired point when setting the guidance route. "ID203" or "ID20" to provide voice guidance of "marked point."
4 ”, and there is also a tollgate 1 km ahead.“ You have approached your destination.
For example, the output of "ID205" and "ID206" for performing the guidance is performed, and the instruction output for performing various voice guidance conventionally performed is performed.

The voice guidance instructing section 57 is provided with various voice guidance instructing sections 64 for instructing various other voice guidances, for example, based on today's action schedule downloaded from a personal computer to a memory chip, to be performed in the future. Voice guidance of various downloaded information, such as voice guidance of things, can also be provided. In addition, voice guidance of various information can be provided, such as voice guidance of the number of satellites currently being received based on the data of the GPS receiver or the accuracy of navigation data based on the relative positions of the satellites. It is also possible to preliminarily accumulate the information in the guidance voice information storage unit 65, search and use the retrieved voice information, and separately output a voice for synthesis, combine them later, and synthesize and output the voice.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the voice guidance instructing portion 57
When the D number data and accompanying voice data such as, for example, mail reading data are output, the guide voice information search unit 66 stores the guide voice corresponding to the ID number in the guide voice information storage unit 65. And reads it out, and outputs it to the speech synthesis unit 67. The accompanying guidance voice such as the text-to-speech data of the mail output from the voice guidance instructing unit 57 is also input to the voice synthesizing unit 67. These voices are combined in a predetermined format and voice-synthesized. Output from the speaker 74.

The guidance voice information search unit 66 simultaneously obtains each I from the guidance voice type data stored in the guidance voice information storage unit 65.
The type data corresponding to the D number, that is, the type data indicating the priority corresponding to each guidance voice is read. For example, two types of “A” and “B” are set in advance for this type data, and are set corresponding to each ID number as shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 2, “1.
"Turn right at the intersection 700m ahead", ID104
"The next intersection is a right turn. Immediately turn left." Is set to the higher priority "A". Similarly, in "2. Driving route guidance", ID201 "There is a sharp curve ahead. Please set the same as "A" in ID203 "There is a railroad crossing ahead. Please be careful." In "3. Warning guidance from vehicle monitoring equipment""A" is set to "A", and all other voice guidance is set to B or "C" as another embodiment described later.

The priority order is, for example, “a car is approaching from behind” in ID 302 and “2 ahead of ID” in ID 401.
An accident occurred at km. "To" A "
Can be arbitrarily set as required. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the type is [B (C)].
When the type indicating the priority is set to only two types of [A] and [B], this is set to [B], and the type indicating the priority is [ In the case where three types of [A], [B], and [C] are set, this indicates that the guidance voice of this ID number is set to [C].

The voice output duplication determination section 73 determines whether or not all the voice guidance that has been subjected to the output processing previously has been output from the voice external output section 71, based on the detection signal of the voice output end detection section 72. If it is determined that the next voice guidance instruction has been output to the guidance voice information search unit 66 before all of them have been output, a signal indicating that voice output has been duplicated is output to the guidance voice switching determination unit 68. In the guidance voice switching determination unit 68, in principle, based on the type of the guidance voice obtained by the guidance voice information search unit 66 and subjected to the output process and the type of the guidance voice input next, When the priority of the voice guidance is low and the priority of the next voice guidance that is processed overlapping with the priority is high, the output of the previous voice guidance is stopped and the output voice for performing the subsequent voice guidance is switched. Is determined as follows. An example of the determination by the guidance voice switching determination unit 68 will be described in detail in the embodiment of FIG. 4 and the other embodiments of FIG.

As described above, in the guidance voice switching determination 68, when it is determined that the guidance voice currently being output is to be switched to the next new guidance voice, the preceding guidance voice is output later. When it is determined that it is necessary, the voice data input to the voice synthesis unit 67 is temporarily recorded in the voice memory 70, and a new guidance voice is output from the voice synthesis unit 67 to the voice external output unit 71,
This is output from the speaker 74. After the output of the voice guidance ends, the guidance voice recorded in the voice memory 70 is output again. In addition, when switching to a new guidance voice, when it is determined that the output of the guidance voice that has been subjected to the voice output process is canceled, the output may be deleted without recording in the voice memory 70.

In the above embodiment, guidance voice data is stored in the guidance voice information storage unit 65 together with the ID number.
By recording the type data indicating the priority order together with the data, a guidance voice type search unit that doubles as the guidance voice type data storage unit and the guidance voice synthesis data storage unit and searches for the guidance voice type data, An example is shown in which the guidance voice type search unit for searching for data and the guidance voice synthesis data search unit for also searching for guidance voice synthesis data are used as the guidance voice information search unit 66, for example, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. And a guidance voice synthesis data storage unit storing only guidance voice data corresponding to the guidance voice ID number, and a guidance voice type data storage unit 81 storing data of a type indicating a priority order corresponding to the guidance voice ID number. 87 and a search unit may be provided for each of them.

When the respective data storage units are separately provided, the guidance voice type search unit 80 stores the guidance voice type data based on the voice guidance ID number data output from the voice guidance instruction unit 57. Only the process of reading the type data indicating the priority of the voice guidance from the unit 81 is performed.
On the other hand, the guidance voice synthesis data search unit 85 performs processing completely different from the above based on the voice ID number data for guidance, from the voice synthesis data storage unit 87 to the voice synthesis unit 8.
8, only the search processing of the data to be subjected to voice synthesis can be performed, and efficient processing can be performed.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the voice output duplication determination section 73 determines that an instruction for the next voice guidance process has been input before the previous voice guidance process has been completed, as in the previous embodiment. Sometimes, the guidance voice switching determination unit 8
3 is output to that effect. Guide voice switching determination unit 83
In, the voice guidance mode setting unit detects whether or not the voice guidance mode is set to be simple, and interrupts the previous voice output corresponding to the mode to perform the next voice guidance. It is determined whether to output or cancel the later voice guidance, or to determine whether to output or cancel the next voice guidance when it is determined that the prior voice guidance has priority.

The guidance voice switching unit 84 determines whether or not to stop the output of the guidance voice output from the voice synthesis unit 88 based on the result of the determination by the guidance voice switching determination unit 83. Switching of various processes is performed such as whether or not the guidance voice is temporarily recorded in the reference voice 89 and recording of the guidance voice in the guidance voice memory 89 when the next guidance voice is continuously performed without stopping. The guidance voice switching unit 84 receives a signal from the voice output completion detection unit 72 to detect whether or not the interrupted voice guidance has been completed.

The voice guidance control unit 56 of the navigation control device 10 having the above-described block configuration shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 3 operates in order according to, for example, an operation flow shown in FIG. be able to. The operation flow shown in FIG. 4 shows a case where the priority types of the voice guidance are only two types [A] and [B]. Is determined (step S1). This determination is made as to whether or not a signal for performing voice guidance has been input to the voice guidance instruction unit 57 in FIGS.
7 can be determined based on whether a voice guidance instruction has been issued. When it is determined that there is no voice guidance instruction input as a result of this determination, this is repeated until there is a voice guidance instruction input.

If it is determined in step S1 that a voice guidance instruction has been input, the type of priority is searched for based on the ID number of the voice guidance to which the voice guidance instruction has been issued (step S2). This search processing is performed in the guidance voice type search part in the guidance voice information search unit 66 in FIG. 1 or in the guidance voice type search unit 80 in FIG. Next, it is determined whether or not the voice guidance output process is being performed (step S3). This determination is performed by the audio output overlap determination unit 73 in FIGS. As a result of this determination, if it is determined that the output process of the voice guidance has not been completed because the output process of the previous voice guidance has been completed, step S
Proceed to 7 to output the instructed voice guidance. This processing is performed in the guidance voice information storage section 65 in the guidance voice information search section in the guidance voice information search section 66 in FIG.
By reading the guidance voice data stored in the voice synthesis data search unit 8 in FIG.
In step 5, the guidance voice data stored in the guidance voice synthesis data storage unit 87 is read out, and is output from the speaker 74 via the voice synthesis unit 67 and the voice external output unit 71.

When it is determined in step S3 that the output processing of the preceding voice guidance is being performed, it is determined whether or not the priority type of the specified voice guidance is [A]. (Step S4). This determination is shown in FIG.
As a result of the search performed by the guidance voice information search unit 66, it is determined whether or not the type corresponding to the ID number of the specified voice guidance is [A]. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the determination is made by the same processing in the guidance voice type search unit 80.

If it is determined that the type of priority of the voice guidance instructed is [A], it is first determined whether the type of priority of voice guidance during the output process is [A]. (Step S5). As a result, when it is determined that the voice guidance is [A], the priorities of the voice guidance during the output processing first and the voice guidance next instructed to be output during the processing are both [A]. Is continued as it is, and it is determined whether or not the output process has been completed (step S6). As a result of the determination, when it is determined that the processing is not yet completed, this is repeated until the processing is completed, and when it is determined that the processing is completed, the instructed voice guidance is output (step S7).

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S4 that the type of priority of the voice guidance instructed is not [A], the type of priority in this embodiment is:
Since there are only two types [A] and [B], it is determined here that it is [B]. When it is determined that it is not [A], in this embodiment, it is determined whether or not the voice guidance simple mode is set (step S).
8). This determination can be made, for example, by means such as inputting a signal from the voice guidance mode setting unit 82 in the guidance voice switching determination unit 83 as shown in FIG.

When it is determined in step S8 that the voice guidance simple mode is set, it is determined that performing voice guidance frequently and continuously is annoying and unpleasant for the user. Understand, voice guidance of a low priority, which was instructed to output voice during output of the previous voice guidance, is canceled so as not to output (step S9).

In step S5, when it is determined that the priority type of the voice guidance during the output process is not [A], that is, in this embodiment, it is determined to be [B]. As a result, the previous voice guidance is stopped, and the instructed voice guidance is output. That is, the priority type of the voice guidance for which the output instruction has been issued this time is [A] and the priority is high, whereas the priority type of the voice guidance during the output process is [B]. Since the priority is low, the processing described above is performed. The data of the stopped voice guidance is recorded in the voice memory 70 of FIG. 1 or the voice memory 89 of FIG. 3 in consideration of re-outputting the voice guidance during the output process first. However, as described later, when the voice guidance simple mode is set, this voice output is canceled, so that it is not necessary to record it in a voice memory or the like.

Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the instructed voice guidance has been completed (step S11). If it is determined that the voice guidance has not been completed, the process is repeated. If it is determined that the voice guidance has been completed, the voice guidance is performed in the same manner as described above. It is determined whether or not the simple mode has been set (step S12). Here, when it is determined that the simple voice mode has not been set, the previous voice guidance recorded in the voice memory is output again (step S13). When it is determined that the voice guidance simple mode is set, the previous voice guidance is canceled and no re-output is performed (step S14).

In the operation flow shown in FIG. 4, an example is shown in which the priority of voice guidance is set to only two types. However, an arbitrary number of priorities can be set. Can be operated by the flow shown in FIG. 5, for example. The embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is particularly different from the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 in that steps S28 and S31 are particularly distinguished.
Steps S21 to S27 in FIG. 5 are the same as steps S1 to S7 in FIG.

If it is determined in step S24 in FIG. 5 that the priority type of the specified voice guidance is not [A], then the priority type of the further specified voice guidance is [B]. It is determined whether or not it is (step S28). As a result of this determination, when the priority is determined not to be [B], that is, when it is determined to be [C], the instructed voice guidance is canceled (step S30). Thus, the voice guidance is not performed only for the voice guidance with the lowest priority. Therefore,
For example, reading out a mail such as ID 502 in FIG.
Voice guidance that takes a long time, such as voice guidance for various types of information on recreational areas taken in on the Internet, such as D602, and detailed voice description of facilities in facility search information guidance, such as ID 703, is not output here.

When it is determined in step S28 that the priority type of the voice guidance specified is [B], whether the voice guidance simple mode is set as in the embodiment shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not the voice guidance is set (step S29). If it is determined that the voice guidance simple mode is set, the instructed voice guidance is canceled (step S30). When it is determined that the voice guidance simple mode has not been set, the process proceeds to step S26 to determine whether or not the preceding voice guidance output process has been completed (step S26). is there.

If it is determined in step S25 that the priority type of the voice guidance being output is not "A", then the priority of the voice guidance being output first is "B". Is determined (step S3).
1). Here, when it is determined that it is not [B], that is, when it is determined that it is [C], the process proceeds to step S36 to cancel the destination voice guidance. Further, when it is determined to be [B], the same processing as steps S10 to S13 and S14 in FIG.
This is performed in steps S32 to S35 and S36.

The above embodiment shows an example in which the voice guidance device according to the present invention is applied to a navigation device. However, the present invention is not limited to such a voice guidance device for a navigation device, and is widely used at present. The present invention can be similarly applied to a voice guidance device for certain industrial equipment or general household equipment.

[0066]

The present invention is configured as described above.
When performing various types of voice guidance, voice guidance can be performed in consideration of the importance of the guidance voice. By outputting the important voice guidance until the output of the less important voice guidance is completed, the voice guidance can be performed. An inappropriate voice guidance can be performed by the delay.

In the guidance voice switching unit, when the prior guidance voice has a higher priority and the next guidance voice has the same priority, the next guidance voice is output after the previous guidance voice is output. Is output, important voice guidance can be sequentially output, and voice guidance can be appropriately performed.

In the guidance voice switching unit, when the priority of the preceding guidance voice is high and the priority of the next guidance voice is low, the output of the next guidance voice is canceled. By outputting the guide voice that is not important, the voice guide is not continuous, and the user does not feel annoying.

In the guidance voice switching unit, when the priority of the previous guidance voice is low and the priority of the next guidance voice is high, the output of the previous guidance voice is canceled and the next guidance voice is output. In such a configuration, a high-priority guidance voice can be reliably output even while the voice guidance is being performed earlier, so that the voice guidance can be performed at an appropriate time, and the previous voice guidance can be performed. Is canceled, the subsequent voice guidance is not performed. By outputting a guide voice that is not so important, the voice guidance is continued and the user does not feel annoying.

In the guidance voice switching unit, when the priority of the preceding guidance voice is low and the next guidance voice has the same priority, the output of the next guidance voice is canceled. Guidance voices that are not so important are continuously output, and the user does not feel annoying.

Further, in the apparatus having a voice guidance mode setting section for selectively setting whether or not to output a guidance voice having a low priority in the guidance voice switching section, the guidance may be viewed later on the screen. When it is annoying that voice guidance that is not very important is continuous, the voice guidance mode setting unit can be set so that guidance voices with low priority are not output. Conversely, guidance voices with low priority are also important. When the user wants to listen to the guidance voice after the output of the guidance voice is finished, the voice guidance mode setting unit can output the guidance voice, and the voice guidance can be performed in various modes according to the user's preference.

Further, in a device using such a voice guidance device as a navigation device, a device mainly using the voice guidance device is often a driver who concentrates on safe driving. By prioritizing and outputting important voice guidance, danger can be avoided. Further, since the non-important voice guidance can be appropriately canceled, a navigation device can be provided which does not lose attention to driving due to continuous non-critical voice guidance.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an embodiment in which a voice guidance device according to the present invention is applied to a navigation device.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of data in a guidance voice information storage unit in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of another embodiment in which the voice guidance device according to the present invention is applied to a navigation device.

FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart in an embodiment in which the voice guidance device according to the present invention is applied to a navigation device.

FIG. 5 is another operation flowchart in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 18 Vehicle position signal generator 19 Vehicle position signal data line 26 Information / map data line 28 Image display device 32 Travel route / intersection guidance output unit 33 Guidance route output unit 39 Operation signal data line 45 Voice recognition unit 51 Internet / mail information input Unit 53 VICS information input unit 55 Vehicle monitoring device information input unit 56 Voice guidance control unit 57 Voice guidance instruction unit 60 Internet / mail voice guidance instruction unit 61 VICS voice guidance instruction unit 62 Vehicle monitoring device voice guidance instruction unit 63 Facility information voice guidance Instruction unit 64 Other various voice guidance instruction units 65 Guide voice information storage unit 66 Guide voice information search unit 67 Voice synthesis unit 68 Guide voice switching determination unit 69 Guide voice switching unit 70 Voice memory 71 Voice external output unit 72 Voice output end detection unit 73 Voice output duplication detection unit 74 Oka

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G10L 21/06 F term (Reference) 2C032 HB02 HB05 HB22 HB23 HB24 HB25 HC08 HC15 HC16 HC23 HC27 HC31 HD07 HD16 HD23 2F029 AA02 AB01 AB05 AB07 AB13 AC02 AC09 AC14 AC18 AD01 5D045 AB21 5H180 AA01 BB02 BB04 BB05 BB13 FF04 FF05 FF07 FF12 FF13 FF25 FF27

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A voice synthesizing unit that forms a guidance voice corresponding to a voice guidance instruction, a voice external output unit that outputs a guidance voice formed by the voice synthesis unit, and all the guidance voices are output from the voice external output unit. A voice output duplication determination unit that detects that the next voice guidance instruction has been input before; a guidance voice type data storage unit that stores guidance voice type data with a priority type assigned to each guidance voice; a specific guidance voice A guidance voice type search unit that searches for the priority type of the guidance voice from the guidance voice type data storage unit. A guidance voice switching determination unit that determines a mode of switching the guidance voice to be output by comparing the priority types, and a voice external output unit when the guidance voice switching determination unit determines that the guidance voice is switched. A voice guidance device comprising: a guidance voice switching unit that switches a guidance voice to be output. 2. The guidance voice switching section, wherein when the prior guidance voice has a high priority and the next guidance voice has the same priority, the next guidance voice is output after the previous guidance voice is output. 2. The voice guidance device according to claim 1, wherein 3. The guidance voice switching unit according to claim 1, wherein when the priority of the preceding guidance voice is high and the priority of the next guidance voice is low, the output of the next guidance voice is canceled. The voice guidance device as described. 4. The guidance voice switching unit, when the priority of the previous guidance voice is low and the priority of the next guidance voice is high, cancels the output of the previous guidance voice and outputs the next guidance voice. The voice guidance device according to claim 1, wherein: 5. The guidance voice switching unit according to claim 1, wherein when the priority of the preceding guidance voice is low and the next guidance voice has the same priority, the output of the next guidance voice is canceled. The voice guidance device according to 1. 6. The voice guidance apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a voice guidance mode setting unit that selectively sets whether or not to output a guidance voice having a low priority in the guidance voice switching unit. 7. The voice guidance device according to claim 1, wherein the voice guidance device is used for a navigation device.