JP2001165689A - Car navigation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a car navigation device capable of simplifying a sound data processing function and simplifying data renewal of sound data. SOLUTION: This car navigation device 1 is made up of a device body 4 equipped with a sound data input part 2 and an information processing part 3. A temporary memory medium 5 stored with sound data downloaded by a computer is used as a sound information source. The sound data downloaded by the computer and stored in the memory medium 5 is read out therefrom by and inputted into the input part 2. The inputted sound data is delivered to the processing part 3. The processing part 3 carries out a sound reproduction process for sound information service based on the sound data inputted from the input part 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to, for example, a plurality of GPs.
S (Global Positioning Systems)
tem) When receiving a radio signal from a satellite, calculating the longitude and latitude of the receiving point based on the signal obtained by demodulation, and following the calculated data to guide the vehicle through the route, a data service using voice, image, etc. More particularly, the present invention relates to a car navigation device that can simplify the processing function of voice data and simplify the data update of voice data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a car navigation system is mounted, for example, by assembling a storage medium storing voice data covering all over the country in Japan. For this reason, it is possible to provide a voice data service by performing voice reproduction processing according to the situation at the time of vehicle route guidance using the voice data stored in the storage medium at the time of vehicle route guidance anywhere in the whole country. it can. This voice data service is generally used when a vehicle traveling on a guided route is moving toward a next node (for example, an intersection).
It is a voice instruction such as straight ahead, left turn, right turn, and the like, and an audio notification of how landmarks such as buildings appear as guides for travel guidance. For this reason, the driver can be given a sense of security about the route guidance, and the vehicle can be driven while looking ahead of the vehicle without carefully watching the navigation display on the display. Further, it is advantageous from the following viewpoints. (1) It is possible to prevent the vehicle from deviating from the guidance traveling route. (2) The vehicle can run safely. (3) The focus adjustment for aligning the host vehicle with the guidance traveling path is facilitated, and the response time required for the adjustment can be reduced.

[0003]

However, this type of conventional car navigation system generally includes a voice signal among all voice data stored in a storage medium covering, for example, all over Japan. The voice data used for the data service is small, and it is required to have a function capable of processing all voice data regardless of the fact that much voice data is not used. In addition, the storage medium used as the audio information source for the audio data service has a high software cost, especially at an early stage such as a narrator cost for recording a voice, a studio cost, and a voice processing. It is added and becomes expensive. In addition, it is necessary to update the voice data for landmarks such as the latest road conditions and buildings, and to replace the entire data at a certain time in consideration of the age of the narrator when using real voice for voice . For that purpose, all the audio data that has been recorded with a large amount of money must be discarded. For this reason, in the conventional case, there is a problem that the product price of this kind of car navigation device becomes expensive, and a large expense is required every time all data in the storage medium is replaced. there were.

[0004] In view of the above circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide a car navigation device which can simplify the processing function of voice data and simplify the updating of voice data.

[0005]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a car navigation apparatus using a temporary storage medium storing audio data downloaded by a computer as an audio information source. An audio data input unit for reading and inputting audio data stored in the temporary storage medium; and an information processing unit for executing audio reproduction processing for an audio data service based on the audio data input by the audio data input unit. And a unit. According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the temporary storage medium storing the audio data downloaded by the computer is used as the audio information source, for example, all of the audio data covering all over the country in Japan is used as the temporary storage medium. You do not need to memorize it. When the audio data input unit reads and inputs the audio data stored in the temporary storage medium, the information processing unit performs an audio reproduction process for the audio data service based on the audio data input by the audio data input unit. Since the processing is executed, the function of processing the audio data provided to the information processing unit can be simplified. Further, when the audio data stored in the temporary storage medium is updated with new audio data, the data amount can be reduced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the audio data input section, a temporary storage medium in which the audio data is stored in advance before being electrically coupled to the apparatus main body is an audio data read target. I do. According to the second aspect of the present invention, the audio data source of the audio data to be read out by the audio data input unit to input the audio data has the audio data stored in advance before being electrically coupled to the apparatus main body. Temporary storage medium. For this reason, after the audio data downloaded by the computer is stored in the temporary storage medium, this temporary storage medium can be used as an audio information source. Also, before shipping the car navigation device or the vehicle to which the car navigation device is assembled, audio data can be downloaded from the audio database and stored in a temporary storage medium.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the audio data input section, a temporary storage medium in which the audio data is stored after being electrically coupled to the apparatus main body is a target of reading the audio data. According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to update old audio data stored in the temporary storage medium to downloaded new audio data after being electrically connected to the apparatus main body.

In the invention according to claim 4, the information processing section includes:
Voice playback for the selected voice data service after processing to select a voice data service related to route guidance and a general voice data service not directly related to the route guidance at the request of the information user Processing is performed. According to the invention of claim 4, it is possible to cope with a case where the voice information service related to the route guidance is particularly required in response to the request of the information user and a case where the voice information service related to the route guidance is not required.

[0009] In the invention according to claim 5, the information processing section comprises:
When the voice data service related to route guidance is selected as an information user's request, in addition to the voice data service targeted at each part of the map on the route guidance,
It is characterized by executing a voice reproduction process for providing a voice data service for guidance of a facility or the like that is likely to be used by an information user. According to the invention of claim 5, it is possible to appropriately receive a voice information service for guidance of a facility such as a tollgate on a highway which is likely to be used by an information user such as a driver as needed. . In addition, the state of congestion of the road and the like on the guidance traveling route is appropriately notified by voice.

In the invention according to claim 6, the information processing section comprises:
When a general voice data service that is not directly related to route guidance is selected at the request of the information user,
It is characterized by executing a sound reproduction process for receiving a selection of a detailed menu and performing a sound information service for the corresponding detailed menu. According to the invention of claim 6, weather forecasts of various places that are not directly related to route guidance or route guidance, menus of various restaurants existing on the way to reaching the destination, and a plurality of information to be heard by the child. Can be individually selected by menu selection.

[0011]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a car navigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a car navigation device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a system configuration showing an example of a voice data service system for storing voice data in a temporary storage medium used in the car navigation device of FIG. FIG. The car navigation device 1 of each embodiment shown in FIG. 1 according to the present invention receives radio signals from, for example, a plurality of GPS satellites, calculates the longitude and latitude of a reception point based on signals obtained by demodulation, When the vehicle is guided along the calculated data, a data service using voice, image, or the like is provided. In this regard, the car navigation device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention is similar to a conventional car navigation device of this type,
There are various differences as described below. As shown in FIG. 1, a car navigation device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a device main body 4 having a voice data input unit 2 and an information processing unit 3, and a temporary storage medium 5 is used as a voice information source. Used as The temporary storage medium 5 used as an audio information source stores audio data downloaded by a computer using an audio data service system described later. Then, it can be electrically connected to the apparatus main body 4 by, for example, loading it. As the temporary storage medium 5, a temporary storage medium having a small memory capacity such as a memory stick or a flash memory is generally suitable.
If necessary, a temporary storage medium having a large memory capacity such as a CD or a DVD can be applied. The audio data input unit 2 is provided under the condition that the audio data is stored before the temporary storage medium 5 is electrically coupled to the apparatus main body 4 or after the temporary storage medium 5 is electrically coupled to the apparatus main body 4. When the condition for storing the audio data is satisfied, the audio data is read from the temporary storage medium 5 and input. The information processing unit 3 reads out the audio data stored in the temporary storage medium 5 by the audio data input unit 2 and executes an audio reproduction process for the audio data service based on the input audio data. As described above, the car navigation device 1 uses the temporary storage medium 5 storing the audio data downloaded by the computer as an audio information source. For this reason, usually, only a small amount of audio data for the information user to use as needed may be stored in the temporary storage medium 5. It is not necessary to store all the audio data to be covered in the temporary storage medium 5. Note that the type and amount of audio data to be stored in the temporary storage medium 5 can be variously changed, and the timing of storing the audio data in the temporary storage medium 5 can be appropriately selected. In addition, since the information processing unit 3 performs the audio reproduction process on a small amount of audio data passed from the audio data input unit 2, even if the design is changed to a state in which the small amount of audio data can be processed, the desired audio Data services can be provided. Therefore, the function of processing the audio data provided in the information processing section 3 can be simplified, which can contribute to minimizing the product price of this type of car navigation device. In addition, since the amount of audio data to be stored in the temporary storage medium 5 is small, the costs of various costs at the initial stage such as the narrator cost for recording the audio, the studio cost, and the cost of audio processing are minimized. Can contribute to In particular, since one specialized company supplies the voice data, the manufacturer of the car navigation device does not have to bear the costs in the initial stage. In addition, it is necessary to update the voice data for landmarks such as the latest road conditions and buildings, and to replace the entire data at a certain time in consideration of the age of the narrator when using real voice for voice. When updating old audio data stored in the temporary storage medium 5 to new audio data, the data update cost can be minimized because the amount of data is small. Further, the temporary storage medium 5 stores the voice data from the voice database by operating the computer such as a personal computer in a building such as a home or a company in an environment using a voice data service system described later. Can be downloaded and stored. Thereafter, when the temporary storage medium 5 storing the audio data is electrically coupled to the car navigation device 1, the audio data stored in the temporary storage medium 5 is read out and the audio data service provided by the car navigation device 1 is provided. Can be implemented. Also, before shipping the car navigation device 1 or a vehicle (not shown) to which the car navigation device 1 is assembled, an audio database is operated by operating a computer such as a personal computer in an environment using a voice data service system described later. The audio data can be downloaded from and stored in the temporary storage medium 5. On the other hand, even when the condition for storing audio data after the temporary storage medium 5 is electrically coupled to the apparatus main body 4 is satisfied, the temporary storage medium 5 can be used as an audio information source of an audio data service. . For this reason, after being electrically connected to the apparatus main body 4, the old voice data stored in the temporary storage medium 5 is operated by operating a computer such as a personal computer in an environment using a voice data service system described later. Can be updated to the downloaded new audio data.

The car navigation apparatus 1 according to the present invention uses a voice information service system 6 having a system configuration as shown in FIG. 2, for example, to store voice information from a voice database 7 as described below. Can be downloaded and stored in the temporary storage medium 5. In the voice information service system 6 shown in FIG. 2, for example, each computer 9 owned by a provider is always connected to a network 8 such as the Internet by a dedicated line. A computer 10 such as a personal computer of an information user can be appropriately connected to each computer 9 owned by the provider via the network 8. On the other hand, the network 8
And a server 11 capable of providing audio information by utilizing the audio database. The audio database 7 stores compressed audio data which is obtained by converting audio data into digital data and compressing and storing the digital data. Therefore, of the compressed audio data stored in the audio database 7, appropriately selected audio data is read by the server 11, and the read audio data is read by the computer 9 owned by the provider.
Can be downloaded to the computer 10 of the information user. Therefore, the information user's computer 8 can appropriately select and store the audio data, the basic data of the audio data, the update audio data, and the like required by the information user in accordance with the usage situation, and store the data in the temporary storage medium 5. it can.

The information processing unit 3 has the following (1) to
The functions shown in (3) are provided. (1) After a process of selecting a voice information service related to route guidance and a general voice information service not directly related to the route guidance in response to a request of an information user, the selected voice information service is processed. Perform the audio playback process to be performed. (2) When a voice information service related to route guidance is selected as a request of an information user, the information user may use the voice guidance service in addition to the voice information service for each part on the map. Executing a voice reproduction process for providing a voice information service for guidance of a high-paid facility or the like. (3) When a general voice information service that is not directly related to route guidance is selected as a request of the information user, a voice menu service accepting the selection of the detailed menu and targeting the corresponding detailed menu To perform audio playback processing.

According to the function (1), it is possible to cope with a case where a voice information service relating to route guidance is particularly required according to a request of an information user and a case where the voice information service relating to the route guidance is not required. Yes, in the latter case, local weather forecasts that are not directly related to route guidance,
General audio information services such as menus of various restaurants existing on the way to the destination and stories told to children can be used. According to the function (2), the voice information service for guidance of a toll facility such as a tollgate on an expressway which is likely to be used by an information user such as a driver is appropriately received as needed. Can be. In addition, the state of congestion of the road and the like on the guidance traveling route is appropriately notified by voice. According to the function (3), the weather forecast of each place that is not directly related to the route guidance or the route guidance, the menu of various restaurants existing on the way to the destination, and the children are heard. Multiple stories can be selected individually by menu selection.

[0015]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a temporary storage medium storing audio data downloaded by a computer is used as an audio information source. It is not necessary to store all of the audio data to be covered in the temporary storage medium. Therefore, the function of processing the voice data provided in the information processing unit can be simplified, which can contribute to minimizing the product price of this type of car navigation device. In addition, since the amount of audio data to be stored in the temporary storage medium is small, the cost of various costs at the initial stage, such as narrator costs for recording audio, studio costs, and audio processing costs, should be kept as low as possible. Can contribute to In particular, since one specialized company supplies the voice data, the manufacturer of the car navigation device does not have to bear the costs in the initial stage. In addition, it is necessary to update the voice data for landmarks such as the latest road conditions and buildings, and to replace the entire data at a certain time in consideration of the age of the narrator when using real voice for voice. When updating old audio data stored in the temporary storage medium to new audio data,
Since the amount of data is small, the cost of updating data can be kept as low as possible. When the audio data input unit reads and inputs the audio data stored in the temporary storage medium, the information processing unit performs an audio reproduction process for the audio data service based on the audio data input by the audio data input unit. Since the processing is executed, the function of processing the audio data provided to the information processing unit can be simplified. Further, when the audio data stored in the temporary storage medium is updated with new audio data, the amount of data can be reduced, so that the ordinary cost can be reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the audio data source of the audio data to be read out by the audio data input unit for inputting the audio data is provided before the audio data is electrically coupled to the apparatus main body. Is a temporary storage medium in which is stored. Therefore, after downloading the appropriately selected audio data from the audio database and storing it in the temporary storage medium, this temporary storage medium can be used as an audio information source. Also, before shipping the car navigation device or the vehicle to which the car navigation device is assembled, audio data can be downloaded from the audio database and stored in a temporary storage medium.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the old audio data stored in the temporary storage medium can be updated to the downloaded new audio data after being electrically connected to the apparatus main body.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to cope with a case where a voice information service relating to route guidance is particularly required according to a request of an information user and a case where there is no need for the voice information service relating to the route guidance. .

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a voice information service for guiding a facility such as a tollgate on an expressway which is likely to be used by an information user such as a driver is appropriately received as needed. be able to. In addition, the state of congestion of the road and the like on the guidance traveling route is appropriately notified by voice.

According to the invention of claim 6, weather forecasts of various places not directly related to route guidance or route guidance, menus of various restaurants existing on the way to reaching the destination, and children are provided. A plurality of stories to be heard can be individually selected by menu selection.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a car navigation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram showing an example of a voice information service system that stores voice information in a temporary storage medium used in the car navigation device of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 car navigation device 2 voice data input unit 3 information processing unit 4 device main body 5 temporary storage medium 6 voice information service system 7 network 8 computer of provider 9 computer of information user 10 voice database 11 server

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Yoshie Toyomaki 6-55-19 Kameido, Koto-ku, Tokyo Inside Alex Corporation (72) Inventor Hiroyasu Obana 6-55-19, Kameido, Koto-ku, Tokyo Company Alex F-term (reference) 2C032 HB22 HB31 HC01 HC31 HC32 HD07 HD16 2F029 AA02 AC14 5H180 AA01 BB13 5J062 AA05 BB01 CC07 HH05 9A001 BB03 BB04 BB06 CC05 DZ15 HH15 JJ11 JJ78 KK56

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A car navigation device using a temporary storage medium storing audio data downloaded by a computer as an audio information source, wherein the audio data is read from the temporary storage medium and input. A car navigation device, comprising: a data input unit; and an information processing unit that executes a sound reproduction process for a sound data service based on sound data input by the sound data input unit. 2. The audio data input unit according to claim 1, wherein a temporary storage medium in which the audio data is stored in advance before being electrically coupled to the apparatus main body is a target of reading the audio data. The car navigation device according to the above. 3. The audio data input unit according to claim 1, wherein a temporary storage medium in which the audio data is stored after being electrically coupled to the apparatus main body is a target of reading the audio data. Car navigation device. 4. The information processing unit selects a voice data service related to route guidance and a general voice data service not directly related to the route guidance in response to a request from an information user. The car navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further performing a voice reproduction process for performing the selected voice data service. 5. The information processing unit, when a voice data service related to route guidance is selected as a request of the information user, in addition to the voice data service targeted at each unit on the map for the route guidance, The car navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the car navigation device performs a sound reproduction process for providing a sound data service for guidance of a facility or the like that is likely to be used by an information user. 6. When a general voice data service not directly related to route guidance is selected as a request of an information user, the information processing unit accepts selection of a detailed menu and responds to detailed information. The car navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the car navigation device executes a sound reproduction process for performing a sound information service for a menu.