JP7141319B2 - voice guidance system - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a voice guidance system that guides a user to vehicle operation information.

In recent years, the population has concentrated in urban areas, and depopulation in rural areas is progressing. In regions where such depopulation is progressing, the declining number of users has made regular bus transportation unprofitable, and the abolition of bus routes is expanding.

Therefore, an on-demand vehicle operation system is being studied, in which users' demands (reservations) are aggregated and users ride together.

For example, a demand bus system has been proposed that includes a management center that includes a telephone device and an operation plan creation unit, and a plurality of buses (see Patent Document 1, for example).

In such a demand bus system, an operator stationed at a management center receives demands from users via a telephone device, inputs the content of the demand to an operation plan creation unit, and generates an operation plan created by the operation plan creation unit. is notified to the user by the telephone device.

Japanese Patent No. 2009-294904

However, in the demand bus system described in Patent Document 1, an operator stationed at the management center needs to answer the phone calls to the users and input data to the operation plan creation unit, so that the demand bus system can be operated smoothly. To ensure operation, a large number of operators must be stationed at the control center.

Therefore, in the demand bus system described in Patent Document 1, there is a limit to the reduction of human resources, and there is a problem that the operation cost of the demand bus system cannot be sufficiently reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention provides a voice guidance system capable of smoothly guiding the operation information of a vehicle to a user while reducing human resources.

The present invention [1] is a vehicle operation voice guidance system that guides a user to the operation information of a vehicle that picks up and drops off the user, and includes a receiving unit capable of receiving a signal transmitted from the user's telephone terminal. extracting, from the voice data storage area, a transmission unit capable of transmitting a signal to the telephone terminal, a voice data storage area for storing voice guidance data, and voice guidance data corresponding to the signal received by the reception unit; and processing means for converting the signal into a signal and transmitting the data to the telephone terminal by the transmitting section, wherein the processing means is configured such that even if a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the transmission of the voice guidance data, the receiving section continues to transmit the signal to the user. A vehicle operation voice guidance system is included which connects the telephone terminal to an operator when no further signal is received from the telephone terminal.

According to such a configuration, when the receiving section receives a signal transmitted from the user's telephone terminal, the processing means transmits the voice guidance data corresponding to the received signal from the transmitting section to the user's telephone terminal. Send to As a result, voice guidance (hereinafter referred to as automatic voice guidance) is automatically reproduced on the user's telephone terminal.

When the user operates the telephone terminal according to the automatic voice guidance and the next signal is transmitted from the user's telephone terminal, the receiving section receives the signal, and the processing means receives the voice guidance corresponding to the signal. By transmitting the data to the telephone terminal, it is possible to provide the user with vehicle operation information according to the user's demand.

However, in rural areas where depopulation is progressing, users are aging, and there is a risk that users will not be able to respond to automatic voice guidance. In such a case, the user cannot obtain the operation information of the desired vehicle, and the utilization rate of the vehicle for picking up and dropping off the user decreases.

On the other hand, according to the above configuration, when the receiving unit does not receive the next signal transmitted from the telephone terminal of the user even after the predetermined time has passed since the transmission of the voice guidance data, the processing means to the operator.

Therefore, even if the user cannot respond to the automatic voice guidance, the user is connected to the operator, so that the user can obtain desired vehicle operation information from the operator.

That is, a user who can respond to automatic voice guidance can obtain the desired vehicle operation information from the processing means, and a user who cannot respond to automatic voice guidance can obtain the desired vehicle operation information from the operator. can be obtained.

As a result, it is possible to reduce the number of operators required for the voice guidance system, and it is possible to smoothly guide the operation information of the vehicle to the user while reducing human resources.

The present invention [2] includes the vehicle operation voice guidance system according to the above [1], wherein the voice data storage area includes a plurality of voice guidance data corresponding to a plurality of regional languages.

However, in rural areas where depopulation is progressing, there are cases where a language peculiar to that area (so-called dialect) is used.

According to the above configuration, since the voice data storage area contains a plurality of voice guidance data corresponding to a plurality of regional languages, the processing means, when the receiving section receives the signal transmitted from the telephone terminal, In addition, voice guidance data corresponding to the language (dialect) of the region where the voice guidance system is operated can be transmitted to the telephone terminal of the user.

Therefore, it is possible to improve the user's understanding of the automatic voice guidance, and to improve the user's ability to respond to the automatic voice guidance. As a result, it is possible to reliably reduce human resources.

According to the voice guidance system of the present invention, it is possible to smoothly guide the operation information of the vehicle to the user while reducing human resources.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a reservation management system as one embodiment of the voice guidance system of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the audio data set stored in the audio data storage area shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of processing of the reservation management system shown in FIG.

<Reservation management system>
A reservation management system 1 as an embodiment of the voice guidance system of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the reservation management system 1 is a voice guidance system that aggregates user demands and guides users to operation information of on-demand vehicles that ride together to pick up and drop off users. In addition, the reservation management system 1 can manage reservations according to user demand. The reservation management system 1 includes a processing device 2 , a communication device 3 , a telephone terminal 4 and an input device 5 .

The processing device 2 is a host computer and includes an arithmetic processing section 6 , a memory 7 and a program 8 .

The arithmetic processing unit 6 is a central processing unit (CPU) and can execute a program 8 . The arithmetic processing unit 6 calculates or calculates information input from the communication device 3, information input from the input device 5, information stored in the memory 7, etc. based on the program 8, and records the information in the memory 7. do.

The memory 7 includes a voice data storage area 10, a pre-registered information storage area 12, a temporary information storage area 11, an operation schedule information storage area 13, and an operation undecided information storage area .

The voice data storage area 10 stores a voice data set 15 containing voice guidance data relating to questions and/or answers to user needs. As shown in FIG. 2, the voice data set 15 includes a plurality of voice guidance data that are sequentially provided to the user from the start of the user's reservation to the completion of the reservation.

More specifically, the voice data set 15 includes question voice guidance data containing questions about the user's needs and answer voice guidance data containing answers to the user's needs. Although the number of pieces of voice guidance data included in the voice data set 15 is not particularly limited, in this embodiment, for convenience, the voice data set 15 includes three question voice guidance data question voice guidance data) and two answer voice data (first answer voice data and second answer voice data).

Also, a plurality of voice data sets 15 are preferably stored in the voice data storage area 10 corresponding to a plurality of regional languages (so-called dialects). That is, the voice data storage area 10 includes multiple voice guidance data corresponding to multiple dialects.

The number of speech data sets 15 stored in the speech data storage area 10 and the type of regional language are not particularly limited. It includes a speech dataset 15A, a second speech dataset 15B corresponding to the Tsugaru dialect, and a third speech dataset 15C corresponding to the Hakata dialect.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pre-registration information storage area 12 stores pre-registered information regarding vehicle operation. The pre-registration information storage area 12 stores, for example, information on a plurality of stop locations (for example, train stations, commercial facilities, hospitals, public halls, user's homes, etc.), information on running vehicles (for example, the number of vehicles , vehicle capacity, etc.), information about the number of people who can drive the vehicle (e.g., the number of people, the working hours of the people, etc.), the travel time of the vehicle between multiple stop positions (e.g., any of the multiple stop positions). information such as the travel time of the vehicle from one stop position to another stop position, etc.).

The temporary information storage area 11 temporarily stores part or all of the information input from the communication device 3 and the information stored in the memory 7 .

The operation schedule information storage area 13 stores information (for example, scheduled operation date, scheduled operation time, scheduled stop position, scheduled number of passengers, scheduled vehicle, scheduled driver etc.). More specifically, the operation schedule information storage area 13 stores the information about the confirmed operation schedule of the vehicle by classifying it for each predetermined time period (every three hours, for example) on each day.

In the operation undecided information storage area 14, information about vehicles not scheduled to operate and personnel not scheduled to operate is divided into predetermined time slots (for example, every 3 hours) in each day in the same manner as the operation schedule information storage area 13. and store it.

The program 8 includes an automatic voice guidance program 20 and an operation planning program 21 as an example of processing means.

The automatic voice guidance program 20 extracts voice guidance data corresponding to the received signal from the voice data storage area 10 when the receiving unit 30, which will be described later, receives a signal transmitted from the user's telephone terminal 9. Specific voice guidance data is stored in the temporary information storage area 11 . Then, the automatic voice guidance program 20 converts the specific voice guidance data into a signal and transmits it to the user's telephone terminal 9 from the transmission section 31, which will be described later.

Further, the automatic voice guidance program 20, when the receiving unit 30, which will be described later, does not receive the next signal transmitted from the user's telephone terminal 9 even after a predetermined time has passed since the transmission of the specific voice guidance data, The user's telephone terminal 9 is connected to the operator (specifically, the operator's telephone terminal 4).

The operation plan program 21 determines whether or not there is a vehicle operation schedule that satisfies the user's demand after the signal reception for all question voice guidance data is completed.

When there is an operation schedule of a vehicle that satisfies the user's demand, the operation plan program 21 extracts information about the operation schedule of the candidate vehicle from the operation schedule information storage area 13 and stores it in the temporary information storage area 11. do. Then, the operation planning program 21 changes the operation schedule of the vehicle so as to tour the newly added user's desired boarding position and desired drop-off position. After that, the operation plan program 21 updates the information on the vehicle operation schedule stored in the operation schedule information storage area 13 .

Further, when there is no vehicle operation schedule that satisfies the user's demand, the operation plan program 21 determines whether a new operation schedule can be created at the user's desired date and time.

The operation plan program 21 calculates an operation schedule for patrolling the user's desired boarding position and desired alighting position when a new operation schedule can be created. After that, the operation plan program 21 stores information about the newly created operation schedule in the operation schedule information storage area 13 .

Further, in the present embodiment, the operation planning program 21 connects the user's telephone terminal 9 to the operator (specifically, the operator's telephone terminal 4) when a new operation schedule cannot be created.

The communication device 3 is capable of communicating with a user's telephone terminal 9 and includes a receiving section 30 and a transmitting section 31 .

The receiving unit 30 can receive a signal transmitted from the user's telephone terminal 9 by wire and/or wirelessly. Further, the receiving unit 30 can transmit the received signal to the processing device 2 by wire and/or wirelessly. In FIG. 1, for the sake of convenience, the receiving unit 30 is connected wirelessly to the user's telephone terminal 9 and is also connected to the processing device 2 by wire.

The transmission unit 31 can receive a signal corresponding to voice guidance data from the processing device 2 by wire and/or wirelessly. Further, the transmission unit 31 can transmit a signal corresponding to the voice guidance data to the user's telephone terminal 9 by wire and/or wirelessly. In FIG. 1, for the sake of convenience, the transmission unit 31 is connected to the processing device 2 by wire, and is also connected to the user's telephone terminal 9 by radio.

The telephone terminal 4 can be operated by an operator, and is located, for example, at a facility where the operator is stationed. The telephone terminal 4 may be a mobile telephone or a fixed telephone. The telephone terminal 4 is connected to the user's telephone terminal 9 in response to a request from the processing device 2, and can communicate with the user's telephone terminal 9 by wire and/or wirelessly. In FIG. 1, for the sake of convenience, the telephone terminal 4 is connected to the processing device 2 by wire, and is also connected to the user's telephone terminal 9 by radio.

The input device 5 can be operated by an operator, and is placed, for example, in a facility where the operator is stationed. The input device 5 can transmit information input by the operator to the processing device 2 by wire and/or wirelessly. In addition, in FIG. 1, the input device 5 is connected to the processing device 2 by wire for convenience.

<Processing of reservation management system>
Next, details of the processing of the reservation management system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

In the reservation management system 1, first, the language used for voice guidance is set before starting operation. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, among the plurality of voice data sets 15, the voice data set 15 corresponding to the language of the region where the reservation management system 1 is operated is selected. This completes the pre-setting of the reservation management system 1 .

Then, as shown in FIG. 3, when the operation of the reservation management system 1 is started and a call signal is transmitted from the telephone terminal 9 of the user, the receiving section 30 receives the call signal from the telephone terminal 9 of the user. It receives and transmits a signal corresponding to the ringing signal to the processor 2 (step 1).

The arithmetic processing unit 6 then executes the automatic voice guidance program 20 .

The automatic voice guidance program 20 extracts the voice guidance data corresponding to the call signal, more specifically, the first question voice guidance data from the voice data storage area 10 and stores it in the temporary information storage area 11. It is converted and transmitted from the transmitting section 31 to the user's telephone terminal 9 (step 2).

As a result, the user's telephone terminal 9 automatically reproduces the first question voice guidance regarding the user's desired date and time of use (see FIG. 2).

Next, the automatic voice guidance program 20 determines whether or not the receiving unit 30 receives the next signal transmitted from the user's telephone terminal 9 within a predetermined period of time from the transmission of the first question voice guidance data ( step 3). The predetermined time is set to, for example, the reproduction time of the voice guidance data plus 10 seconds in consideration of the reproduction time of the transmitted voice guidance data and the operation time after the end of the voice guidance.

However, when the user appropriately operates the telephone terminal 9 according to the automatically reproduced question voice guidance, a signal regarding the user's demand information (specifically, the desired date and time of use) is transmitted from the telephone terminal 9 within a predetermined time. and received by the receiving unit 30 (Yes in step 3). In other words, the receiving unit 30 receives the next signal transmitted from the user's telephone terminal 9 within a predetermined time after transmission of the voice guidance data. Then, the automatic voice guidance program 20 stores the user's demand information, specifically, the desired date and time of use, in the temporary information storage area 11 .

Next, the automatic voice guidance program 20 determines whether or not transmission of all question voice guidance data has been completed (step 4).

If transmission of all question voice guidance data has not been completed (No in step 4), automatic voice guidance program 20 repeats steps 2 and 3 until transmission of all question voice guidance data has been completed.

Specifically, the automatic voice guidance program 20 extracts the next question voice guidance data, that is, the second question voice guidance data from the voice data storage area 10, stores it in the temporary information storage area 11, and then outputs it to the signal. It is converted and transmitted from the transmission unit 31 to the telephone terminal 9 of the user.

As a result, the user's telephone terminal 9 automatically reproduces the second question voice guidance regarding the user's desired boarding position and desired alighting position (see FIG. 2).

Next, when the receiving unit 30 receives a signal regarding the user's demand information (specifically, the desired boarding position and desired alighting position) within a predetermined time after the transmission of the second question voice guidance data (Yes in step 3). ), the automatic voice guidance program 20 stores the user's demand information (specifically, the desired boarding position and desired alighting position) in the temporary information storage area 11 .

After that, the automatic voice guidance program 20 extracts the next question voice guidance data, that is, the third question voice guidance data from the voice data storage area 10 through the judgment in step 4 (No in step 4), After being stored in the storage area 11, it is converted into a signal and transmitted from the transmitting section 31 to the user's telephone terminal 9 (step 2).

As a result, the user's telephone terminal 9 automatically reproduces the third question voice guidance regarding the number of users desired by the user (see FIG. 2).

Next, when the receiving unit 30 receives a signal regarding user demand information (specifically, the desired number of users) within a predetermined time from the transmission of the third question voice guidance data (Yes in step 3), automatic voice The guidance program 20 stores user demand information (specifically, the desired number of users) in the temporary information storage area 11 .

This completes the transmission of all question voice guidance data (Yes in step 4).

Then, the arithmetic processing unit 6 executes the operation planning program 21 .

The operation plan program 21 has a vehicle operation schedule that satisfies the user's demand information stored in the temporary information storage area 11 (specifically, the desired date and time of use, the desired boarding position and desired alighting position, and the desired number of users). (step 5).

Then, if there is an operation schedule for a vehicle that satisfies the demand of the user (Yes in step 5), the operation planning program 21 extracts information about the operation schedule of the candidate vehicle from the operation schedule information storage area 13. , is stored in the temporary information storage area 11 .

After that, the automatic voice guidance program 20 extracts the first answer voice guidance data from the voice data storage area 10 and stores it in the temporary information storage area 11. Then, the operation of the candidate vehicle is added to the first answer voice guidance data. Incorporate scheduled information (eg, departure time, vehicle number, etc.).

After that, the automatic voice guidance program 20 converts the first answer voice guidance data in which the information on the operation schedule of the candidate vehicle is incorporated into a signal, and transmits the signal from the transmission unit 31 to the user's telephone terminal 9 ( step 6).

On the other hand, if there is no scheduled operation of a vehicle that satisfies the user's demand (No in step 5), the operation planning program 21 determines whether or not there are any vehicles and personnel that are not scheduled to operate at the date and time desired by the user. (step 7).

Then, if there are vehicles and personnel that are not scheduled to operate at the desired date and time of use (Yes in step 7), the operation planning program 21 determines that a new operation schedule can be created, and from the pre-registered information storage area 12 Information corresponding to the user's desired boarding position and desired alighting position is extracted and stored in the temporary information storage area 11, and information on vehicles and personnel is extracted from the undecided operation information storage area 14 and is stored in the temporary information storage area 11. store in

After that, the operation planning program 21 creates an operation schedule for patrolling the desired boarding position and desired alighting position by calculation based on the desired boarding position, desired alighting position, vehicle and staff information (step 8). Then, the operation plan program 21 stores information about the newly created operation schedule in the temporary information storage area 11 .

Next, the automatic voice guidance program 20 incorporates the newly created service schedule information (e.g., departure time, vehicle number, etc.) into the first response voice guidance data, and converts the first response voice guidance data into signals. Then, the transmission unit 31 transmits it to the user's telephone terminal 9 (step 6).

As a result, the user's telephone terminal 9 automatically reproduces the first answer voice guidance regarding the operation schedule of the candidate vehicle (see FIG. 2).

Next, as in step 3, the automatic voice guidance program 20 determines whether the receiving section 30 receives the next signal transmitted from the user's telephone terminal 9 within a predetermined period of time from the transmission of the first answer voice guidance data. It is determined whether or not (step 9).

The user operates the telephone terminal 9 and selects the desired vehicle operation schedule if there is an operation schedule for the desired vehicle among the presented vehicle operation schedules. Then, a signal (reservation signal) corresponding to the user's request for reservation is transmitted from the telephone terminal 9 .

Then, when the receiving unit 30 receives the user's reservation signal within a predetermined time from the transmission of the first answer voice guidance data (Yes in step 9), the automatic voice guidance program 20 outputs the voice guidance corresponding to the reservation signal. Data, specifically, the second answer voice guidance data is extracted from the voice data storage area 10, stored in the temporary information storage area 11, converted into a signal, and transmitted from the transmission unit 31 to the telephone terminal 9 of the user. (step 10).

As a result, the user's telephone terminal 9 automatically reproduces the second answer voice guidance indicating that the reservation has been completed (see FIG. 2).

At this time, the operation plan program 21 updates the information about the vehicle operation schedule stored in the operation schedule information storage area 13 when the operation schedule corresponding to the reservation signal is a change of the existing operation schedule. If the operation schedule corresponding to the reservation signal is a newly created operation schedule, information on the newly created operation schedule is stored in the operation schedule information storage area 13 .

On the other hand, in steps 3 and 9, if the reception unit 30 does not receive the next signal transmitted from the user's telephone terminal 9 even after the predetermined time has elapsed since the transmission of the voice guidance data (No in step 3 and No in step 9), the automatic voice guidance program 20 connects the user's telephone terminal 9 to the operator (specifically, the operator's telephone terminal 4) (step 11).

Further, in this embodiment, the operation planning program 21, when there is no scheduled operation of a vehicle that satisfies the user's demand, and there is no vehicle and personnel not scheduled to operate at the user's desired date and time of use (No in step 7) Also, the user's telephone terminal 9 is connected to the operator (step 11).

Then, the operator receives the demand information of the user through the telephone terminal 4 and inputs the demand information through the input device 5, so that the operation planning program 21 selects candidates for the operation schedule of the vehicle that satisfies the demand of the user. can do. Therefore, the user can obtain the operation information of the desired vehicle through the operator and reserve the vehicle.

By the above, the processing of the reservation management system 1 is completed.

<Effect>
In the reservation management system 1, when the receiving unit 30 receives a signal transmitted from the user's telephone terminal 9, the automatic voice guidance program 20 uses the voice guidance data corresponding to the received signal by the transmitting unit 31. to the telephone terminal 9 of the person. As a result, automatic voice guidance is reproduced on the telephone terminal 9 of the user.

Therefore, when the user operates the telephone terminal 9 according to the automatic voice guidance and the receiving unit 30 receives the signal from the telephone terminal 9, the automatic voice guidance program 20 transmits the corresponding voice guidance data to the telephone terminal 9. , it is possible to provide the user with vehicle operation information according to the user's demand.

In addition, the automatic voice guidance program 20, when the reception unit 30 does not receive the next signal transmitted from the user's phone terminal 9 even after a predetermined time has passed since the transmission of the voice guidance data, the automatic voice guidance program 20 Connect to an operator.

Therefore, even if the user cannot respond to the automatic voice guidance, the user can obtain the desired vehicle operation information from the operator.

In other words, a user who can respond to automatic voice guidance can obtain operation information of the desired vehicle from the automatic voice guidance program 20, and a user who cannot respond to automatic voice guidance can obtain the desired vehicle from the operator. You can get the operation information of

As a result, the number of operators required for the reservation management system 1 can be reduced, and while human resources can be reduced, it is possible to smoothly guide the operation information of the vehicle to the user.

The voice data storage area 10 also contains multiple voice data sets 15 corresponding to multiple regional languages. Therefore, when the receiving unit 30 receives the signal transmitted from the telephone terminal 9, the automatic voice guidance program 20 uses the voice guidance data corresponding to the language (dialect) of the region where the reservation management system 1 is operated. can be transmitted to the telephone terminal 9 of the person.

As a result, the user can listen to the automatic voice guidance in a familiar language of the region, and can improve the degree of understanding of the content of the automatic voice guidance. Therefore, it is possible to improve the possibility of responding to the automatic voice guidance by the user. As a result, it is possible to reliably reduce human resources.

<Modification>
In the above-described embodiment, if there is no scheduled operation of a vehicle that meets the user's demand, and there is no vehicle and staff that are not scheduled to operate at the user's desired date and time (No in step 7), the user's telephone terminal 9 Although configured to connect to an operator, the invention is not so limited.

For example, the voice data storage area 10 further stores the third answer voice guidance data corresponding to reservation impossibility, there is no scheduled operation of a vehicle that satisfies the user's demand, and there is no scheduled operation at the desired usage date and time of the user; If there is no staff (No in step 7), the automatic voice guidance program 20 extracts the third answer voice guidance data corresponding to the reservation not possible from the voice data storage area 10, converts it into a signal, and sends it to the transmission unit 31. It may be transmitted to the telephone terminal 9 of the user.

Even with such a modified example, it is possible to achieve the same effect as the present invention.

1 reservation management system 9 telephone terminal 10 voice data storage area 30 receiver 31 transmitter 20 automatic voice guidance program

Claims (2)

A vehicle operation voice guidance system that guides users to the operation information of vehicles that pick up and drop off users,
a receiving unit capable of receiving a signal transmitted from a user's telephone terminal;
a transmitter capable of transmitting a signal to the telephone terminal;
a voice data storage area for storing voice guidance data;
a processing means for extracting voice guidance data corresponding to the signal received by the receiving unit from the voice data storage area, converting it into a signal, and transmitting the data to the telephone terminal by the transmitting unit;
The processing means
connecting the telephone terminal to an operator when the receiving unit does not receive the next signal transmitted from the telephone terminal of the user even after a predetermined time has passed since the transmission of the voice guidance data;
When the receiving unit receives the signal transmitted from the telephone terminal of the user within a predetermined time from the transmission of the voice guidance data, the operation schedule of the vehicle that satisfies the demand of the user is included in the vehicle operation information. connecting the telephone terminal to the operator when there is no vehicle and no personnel are scheduled to operate at the desired date and time of use by the user.
A voice guidance system for vehicle operation, characterized by: 2. The voice guidance system for vehicle operation according to claim 1, wherein said voice data storage area contains a plurality of voice guidance data corresponding to a plurality of regional languages.

Images