JP2003005794A - Voice output device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a voice output device which outputs a voice for a voice output point at an accurate timing without generating an error between a voice output completion point and the voice output point on an actual map when outputting the voice to the voice output point. SOLUTION: In the voice output device provided with a voice output control means which transfers voice data from a storage medium to a voice output means to output the voice for the voice output point, the voice output control means is provided with a voice output point confirmation means which confirms the voice output point, a voice output time calculation means which calculates the time from the start of read control of voice output data at the voice output point to the completion of voice output from the voice output means, a vehicle speed information fetching means which fetches vehicle speed information of a vehicle, and a voice output start point determination means which obtains the voice output start point on the basis of vehicle speed information fetched by the vehicle speed information fetching means and the voice output time calculated by the voice output time calculation means.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a voice output device, and more particularly to a voice output device capable of performing voice output to a voice output point without causing an error in timing of voice output.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, many electronic devices are equipped with a voice output device, and guidance for operations and the like is often performed by voice. In particular, in a navigation system mounted on an automobile, it is difficult to see the screen while traveling, and therefore, a voice guidance is usually provided to the guide route using a voice output device.

The voice used for such voice guidance is
In a navigation system, a speech synthesis method using speech waveform data itself, which is normally generated by speech synthesis and has good sound quality, is widely adopted. This is to create many unit voice data divided into units convenient for voice synthesis, and store these unit voice data in a storage medium in a readable state for each unit voice data. Write it down and, when playing back the voice, write multiple unit voice data necessary for the sentence to be played back.
Data is read out from the storage medium, and text voice data for reproduction is generated by combining these data, and after the generated text voice data consisting of digital signals is converted into a voice signal consisting of analog signals. , Amplified and output from the speaker to output as voice.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematically showing a main part of a navigation system equipped with a conventional audio output device.

Reference numeral 21 in the figure denotes a microcomputer. The microcomputer 21 has a vehicle speed sensor 2 for acquiring a speed and a traveling distance, a gyro sensor 3 for acquiring a traveling direction, and an antenna 4a for transmitting a signal from a satellite. A GPS receiver 4 for receiving GPS signals, a CD-ROM 6 in which electronic map data and unit voice data for voice guidance are stored, and electronic map data and unit voice data are stored in the CD-ROM 6. C to import
D drive 5, remote controller 7 as operation means, display device 8 having display panel 8a, and unit voice data read from CD-ROM 6 are combined to output text voice data for output from digital signals and analog signals. A digital / analog converter (hereinafter referred to as a D / A converter) 9 for converting into a signal is connected. A speaker 11 is connected to the D / A converter 9 for outputting sound through an amplifier 10 for amplifying an analog signal.

The microcomputer 21 obtains the acquired speed and mileage,
The own vehicle position is accurately indicated by calculating the own vehicle position based on the information such as the traveling direction and the GPS signal and matching the calculated own vehicle position with the electronic map data (so-called map matching processing). Displayed map 8
It is designed to be displayed on a.

Further, when it becomes necessary to provide voice route guidance by approaching an intersection or the like, the microcomputer 21 obtains unit voice data required for voice synthesis from the guide content (reproduced text) at that time. Then, the unit voice data is obtained on a CD-R.
An instruction signal is output to the CD drive 5 so that it is read from the OM 6. Then, the microcomputer 21 combines a plurality of unit voice data read from the CD-ROM 6 so as to form a sentence, generates sentence voice data, and outputs the sentence voice data to the D / A converter 9. In the D / A converter 9, the digital signal is converted into an analog signal, the voice signal (text) converted into the analog signal is amplified by the amplifier 10, and the speaker 11 is converted.
It is designed to be output as audio from.

[0008]

In the voice output device equipped in the conventional navigation system, the voice reproduction estimated from the data size of the text voice data assembled according to the guidance contents of the voice output point. Based on the time, it is determined whether or not the own vehicle position has reached the front by a predetermined distance required to complete the voice reproduction up to the voice output point by GP.
Judging from the position of the map measured by the S receiver 4 or the like, and when the position of the own vehicle reaches the audio output point by the predetermined distance, the control for audio output is started to determine the audio output point. The audio output is completed by the time it passes.

However, in addition to the voice reproduction time, the time required for mechanical processing operation and data processing in the apparatus, for example, the CD-ROM 6 until the voice output is actually completed by the voice output control. In order to read out the unit audio data from the above, the reading pickup is moved to a predetermined position on the CD-ROM 6 in which each unit audio data is stored, and the access until the unit audio data is read out. The reading time or the unit voice data read from the CD-ROM 6 is temporarily stored in the memory, and the unit voice data is combined to generate sentence voice data,
Data composition / transfer time, etc. until the sentence voice data is transferred to the D / A converter 9 are required.

Conventionally, the access / read time which changes depending on the number of unit voice data read from the CD-ROM 6 and the data synthesis / transfer time which changes depending on the data size of the text voice data are used. Since the voice output start point for voice output control was decided without considering it, an error occurs between the voice output completion point and the actual voice-guided position on the map, and the voice guidance timing shifts. As described above, there is a problem that it is difficult to output voice to the voice output point at an accurate timing.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and when performing voice output to a voice output point, an error does not occur between a voice output completion point and an actual voice output point on a map. An object of the present invention is to provide a voice output device capable of performing voice output to a voice output point at various timings.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, a voice output device (1) according to the present invention transfers voice data from a storage medium to a voice output means, and outputs the voice data to a voice output point. In a voice output device provided with a voice output control means for performing voice output, the voice output control means confirms the voice output point, a voice output point confirmation means, and voice output data at the voice output point. Audio output time calculating means for calculating the time from the start of the read control to the completion of the audio output from the audio output means,
A vehicle speed information fetching means for fetching vehicle speed information of the vehicle, and a voice output start point is obtained based on the vehicle speed information fetched by the vehicle speed information fetching means and the voice output time calculated by the voice output time calculating means. The audio output start point determining means is provided.

According to the audio output device (1), the audio output time for the audio output point is calculated based on the confirmation of the audio output point. Therefore, the unit audio data to the storage medium is calculated. It is possible to grasp the time required from the reading control to the completion of the voice output, and to grasp the accurate time regarding the voice output control. Further, it is possible to determine the voice output start point by obtaining the distance traveled within the voice output time from the vehicle speed information, and it is possible to measure an accurate timing for voice output in consideration of the traveling state of the own vehicle. It is possible to perform accurate voice output that does not cause an error between the actual voice output completion point and the target voice output point on the map, without the timing of voice guidance being shifted from the voice output point.

The audio output device (2) according to the present invention is
In the audio output device (1), the audio output start point determining means calculates the distance traveled by the vehicle within the audio output time from the vehicle speed information captured by the vehicle speed information capturing means and the audio output time. And a voice output timing determining means for determining whether or not the current position is located in front of the voice output point by the distance calculated by the travel distance calculating means. .

According to the voice output device (2), the distance to the voice output point is grasped, and whether the current position is located in front of the voice output point by the distance traveled by the vehicle within the voice output time. The voice output start point can be determined by determining whether or not the voice output start point is determined. Therefore, it is possible to measure an accurate timing for voice output in consideration of the running state of the own vehicle, and the actual voice output completion point and the target point without deviation of the voice guidance timing from the voice output point. It is possible to perform accurate voice output without causing an error with the voice output point on the map.

The audio output device (3) according to the present invention is
In the audio output device (1) or (2), the audio output time calculating means calculates an access / read time necessary for accessing / reading the unit audio data from the storage medium. The calculation unit and the unit voice data read from the storage medium are combined to calculate the data combination / transfer time required for completing the transfer of the text voice data to the voice output unit. Data synthesizing / transfer time calculating means, a voice size calculating means for calculating the data size of the text voice data, and the text voice data from the data size calculated by the voice size calculating means. And a sentence voice data reproduction time calculation means for calculating the time required for reproduction of the.

According to the voice output device (3), the structure of the sentence voice data, for example, the number of unit voice data and the data.
Access / reading time, which varies depending on the size,
The data synthesizing / transferring time and the time required to reproduce the text voice data are calculated respectively, and in consideration of the processing time in which an error is likely to occur during voice output control, the voice output data Since the output time is calculated, it is possible to calculate the accurate output time of the audio output data with little time error. Therefore, it is possible to perform accurate voice output that does not cause a difference between the actual voice output completion point and the target voice output point on the map without shifting the timing of voice guidance with respect to the voice output point. it can.

The audio output device (4) according to the present invention is
In the audio output device (3), the access / readout time calculating means measures an access / readout time for each access for reading out the unit audio data from the storage medium, and the measured access / readout is measured. The latest average access / read time is calculated from the time and the past average access / read time, and the latest average access / read time is stored from the access / read time storage means in which the latest average access / read time is stored. Is read out to calculate the access / readout time of the text voice data.

According to the voice output device (4), the access / readout time calculating means reads out the latest average access / readout time and calculates the access / readout time of the text voice data. Therefore, the access / read time calculated by multiplying the number of unit voice data constituting the text voice data by the latest average access / read time is used to calculate the actual access / read time. near,
A highly accurate access / readout time can be easily calculated, and the error in the audio output time can be further reduced.

The audio output device (5) according to the present invention is
In the audio output device (3) or (4), the data
A data synthesizing / transferring time calculating means measures the data synthesizing / transferring time for each voice output, and measures the measured data synthesizing / transferring time.
Data composition per unit size is calculated from the transfer time and the data size of the text voice data to be transferred. Transfer time is calculated, and the calculated data composition per unit size is calculated.
Transfer time and average data composition per unit size in the past
The latest average data composition / transfer time per unit size is calculated from the transfer time, and the latest average data composition / transfer time per unit size is stored.
It is characterized in that the latest average data composition / transfer time per unit size is read out from the transfer time storage means to calculate the data composition / transfer time of the text voice data.

According to the voice output device (5), the data synthesizing / transferring time calculating means reads out the latest average data synthesizing / transferring time per unit size and outputs the sentence voiced data. Since the data synthesizing / transferring time of the sentence voice data is calculated by using the average data synthesizing / transferring time per the latest unit size, It is possible to easily calculate a highly accurate data synthesis / transfer time that is closer to the actual data synthesis / transfer time, and further reduce the error in the audio output time.

The audio output device (6) according to the present invention is
In the voice output device (1) or (2), the voice output time calculating means performs access / reading from the start of access of the unit voice data to the storage medium to the completion of transfer of the text voice data. It is characterized in that it includes a voice data processing time calculating means for calculating a voice data processing time required for synthesis and transfer.

According to the voice output device (6), the structure of the sentence voice data, for example, the number of unit voice data and the data.
Since a series of processing times including the access / reading time and the data composition / transfer time that vary depending on the data size and the like are calculated as the audio data processing time, the audio output time can be calculated more easily. The voice output start point can be detected quickly and accurately. Therefore, the calculation of the voice output time up to the voice output start point has a margin, and the data processing efficiency can be improved.

The voice output device (7) according to the present invention is
In the voice output device (6), the voice data processing time calculating means measures the voice data processing time for each voice output, and outputs the measured voice data processing time. Calculate the voice data processing time per unit data size from the unit data size number of the text voice data,
The calculated voice data processing time per unit data size and the average voice data per unit data size in the past.
An audio data processing in which the latest average audio data processing time per unit data size is calculated from the data processing time and the latest average audio data processing time per unit data size is stored. It is characterized in that the latest average voice data processing time per unit data size is read from the time storage means to calculate the voice data processing time of the text voice data.

According to the audio output device (7), the audio data processing time calculating means calculates the average audio data processing time required for access, reading, synthesis and transfer per the latest unit data size. Is read out to calculate the voice data processing time of the text voice data. Therefore, by using the average voice data processing time per the latest unit data size, the text voice data is processed. -If the number of unit data sizes of data is known, it is close to the actual audio data processing time,
A highly accurate voice data processing time can be easily calculated, and the error in the voice output time can be further reduced.

The audio output device (8) according to the present invention is
In the audio output device (4), an access / read time is measured for each access for reading the unit audio data from the storage medium, and the measured access / read time and the average access measured in the past. First learning means for calculating the latest average access / read time from the read time, updating the latest average access / read time for each access, and storing it in the access / read time storage means It is characterized by having.

According to the audio output device (8), the average access / readout time is updated and stored for each access to the recording medium. Therefore, when the access / readout time is calculated, the past access / readout is calculated. A more accurate average access / read time in consideration of time can be used, and an access / read time with a smaller error can be calculated.

The voice output device (9) according to the present invention is
In the voice output device (5), the data synthesizing / transferring time is measured for each voice output, and the measured data synthesizing / transferring time and the data size of the sentence voice data transferred. The data composition / transfer time per unit size is calculated from and the latest data composition / transfer time is calculated from the calculated data composition / transfer time per unit size and the past average data composition / transfer time per unit size. Average data per unit size of
The data synthesizing / transferring time is calculated, the latest average data synthesizing / transferring time per unit size is updated for each audio output process, and stored in the data synthesizing / transferring time storage means. It is characterized in that a second learning means is provided.

According to the audio output device (9), the average data composition / transfer time per unit size is updated and stored for each audio output process. Therefore, the data composition / transfer time is calculated. In some cases, a more accurate average data composition / transfer time per unit size that takes into account past data composition / transfer time can be used, and data composition / transfer with less error can be used. The time can be calculated.

A voice output device (10) according to the present invention.
The voice output device (7) measures the voice data processing time for each voice output process, and the measured voice data processing time and the unit data of the sentence voice data transferred. -Calculate the audio data processing time required for access / reading / synthesis / transfer per unit data size from the number of data sizes, and calculate the audio data processing time per unit data size for each audio output process. A third learning means for updating and storing in the voice data processing time storage means is provided.

According to the audio output device (10), the average audio data processing time per unit data size is
Since it is updated and stored for each voice output process, a more accurate unit data size in consideration of past voice data processing time when calculating the voice data processing time of text voice data. The voice data processing time per hit can be used, and the voice data of the sentence voice data with less error can be used.
Processing time can be calculated.

[0032]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a voice output device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a main part of a navigation system including a voice output device according to an embodiment of the present invention. However, here, the same components as those in the navigation system shown in FIG. 6 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the navigation system shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle speed sensor 2 and a gyro sensor 3 are connected to a microcomputer 1, and the microcomputer 1 calculates a traveled distance,
Also, the vehicle position is determined based on the traveling direction (self-contained navigation). Further, the GPS receiver 4 is connected to the microcomputer 1, and the microcomputer 1 is adapted to determine the vehicle position based on the GPS signal (GPS navigation).

A CD drive 5 is connected to the microcomputer 1, and the CD drive 5 stores a CD-data in which map data, voice data and the like are stored according to a control signal from the microcomputer 1.
The ROM 6 is accessed to read necessary data, and the read data signal is output to the microcomputer 1.

The CD-ROM 6 has voice data (waveform data).
Data) is readable and stored in units suitable for voice guidance of navigation (unit voice data). For example, it is stored in units such as "approx.", "300", "m ahead", "right direction", "is.", Etc., and these are read out and combined, and "about 300 m ahead right direction." Voice guidance is provided.

The switch signal input from the joystick 7a and the button switch 7b provided on the remote controller 7 and the button switch 8b provided on the display device 8 are also provided.
The switch signal input from is input to the microcomputer 1,
Processing according to these switch signals is performed by the microcomputer 1.

For example, when the microcomputer 1 fetches the information of the moving destination from these switches, it searches for the optimum route from the vehicle position to the destination and uses it as a guide route on the display panel 8a together with the map. It is supposed to be displayed.

A memory 12 used for storing various data and programs and for arithmetic processing is connected to the microcomputer 1. The memory 12 retains the stored contents even when the power is turned off. It is configured to include a ROM 12a and a RAM 12b to which backup power is supplied. In addition, the EEP is capable of writing data such as learning values.
The ROM 13 is connected to the microcomputer 1.

The audio data storage area of the CD-ROM 6 stores an audio data size table in which the data size of each unit audio data is listed. The voice data size table read from the CD-ROM 6 according to the control signal from the microcomputer 1 is the RAM 1 of the memory 12.
The data is stored in a partial area of 2b. Then, by using the data of the voice data size table, the data size of the sentence voice data composed according to the contents of the guidance can be obtained.

In the EEPROM 13, the access / reading time is measured and updated for each access for reading the unit voice data from the CD-ROM 6, and the latest average access
An area for storing the read time is provided. In the access / read time table in which the average access / read time is stored, the search time for moving the read pickup by the control signal from the microcomputer 1 and the CD-
The time from the predetermined position of the ROM 6 until the unit voice data is read is the unit voice data as the access / read time.
Data is measured each time it is read, and the latest average access / read time calculated from the access / read time newly measured for each access and the average access / read time up to the previous time is updated and stored. ing.

Further, the EEPROM 13 is provided with an area where the average data composition / transfer time per unit size is updated and stored for each audio output process. In the data synthesis / transfer time table in which the average data transfer time per unit size is stored, the unit voice data read from the CD-ROM 6 is temporarily stored in the RAM 12a and the RAM 1
2a, unit voice data is read out in a predetermined order and assembled to generate sentence voice data, and the sentence voice data is generated.
Data is converted into an output format from the D / A converter 9, and data composition / transfer time until transfer to the D / A converter 9 is completed is measured and measured for each audio output process. The data synthesis / transfer time per unit size is calculated for each voice output process from the data synthesis / transfer time that has been transferred and the data size of the transferred text voice data, and for each voice output process. Newly calculated data composition / transfer time per unit size and average data per unit size up to the previous time.
The latest average data composition / transfer time per unit size calculated from the data composition / transfer time is updated and stored.

Further, the microcomputer 1 outputs the sentence voice data composed of a combination of unit voice data to the D / A converter 9, and the D / A converter 9 outputs a digital signal of the sentence voice data. Is converted into an analog signal and output to the amplifier 10. The amplifier 10 amplifies the audio signal converted into an analog signal and outputs it as a sound from a speaker 11 provided in the vehicle compartment.

The operation performed by the microcomputer 1 at the time of voice output will be briefly described as follows. When it becomes necessary to provide route guidance by voice when approaching an intersection or the like, the microcomputer 1 obtains unit voice data required for voice synthesis from the guide content (playback sentence) at that time, and the CD drive 5 Then, a control signal is output so that the corresponding unit audio data is read from the CD-ROM 6. Then, the plurality of unit voice data read from the CD-ROM 6 is temporarily stored in the RAM 12b.
The unit voice data stored therein are combined so as to form a sentence to generate sentence voice data, and the sentence voice data is output to the D / A converter 9. After that, the digital signal forming the sentence voice data is converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter 9, and the voice signal (sentence) converted into the analog signal is amplified by the amplifier 10 and is output from the speaker 11. It is designed to be output as voice.

Next, the voice output processing operation performed by the microcomputer 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a first audio output processing example performed by the microcomputer 1, which is executed when an audio output request is made. FIG. 3 shows a route guide diagram for explaining the voice output processing operation of the microcomputer 1.
The solid line indicates the guide route.

First, in step S1, it is determined whether or not the voice output point has been confirmed. Assuming that the current position of the vehicle is at the position where the intersection A is turned left according to the guide route, the microcomputer 1 first detects the intersection B, which is the next route change point on the guide route, and detects the distance to the intersection B. Is 700 m or more, and if it is 700 m or more, the 700 m point before the intersection B is confirmed as the next audio output point. In this navigation system,
It is assumed that voice guidance is provided 700 m, 300 m, and 100 m before the route change point.

If it is determined in step S1 that the voice output point is not confirmed, the process returns to step S1 and the process is repeated until the next voice output point is confirmed. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1 that the voice output point has been confirmed, the process proceeds to step S2, and it is determined whether the voice output time has been calculated.

For example, in the route guidance shown in FIG. 3, it is determined whether or not the voice output time for performing the voice guidance at a point 700 m before the intersection B has been calculated. Note that FIG. 4 shows the structure of the audio output time. The audio output time is composed of an access / readout time, data synthesis / transfer time, and audio reproduction time calculated in steps S3 to S7 below.

If it is determined in step S2 that the voice output time for the next voice output point has been calculated, the process proceeds to step S8. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 2 that the voice output time has not been calculated, the process proceeds to step S3, and the average access / read time required for access / read per unit voice data is stored. The latest average access / readout time is read out from the access / readout time table, and all unit voice data are CD-based on the basis of the number of unit voice data forming the sentence reproduced in this voice guidance. The access / read time for reading from the ROM 6 is calculated, and the process proceeds to step S4.

In the route guidance shown in FIG. 3, the text reproduced at 700 m before the intersection B is, for example, "about", "700", "m ahead", "right direction", " 5 unit voice data, the latest average access / read time stored in the access / read time table is, for example, 0.
If it is 30 sec / piece, the access / reading time of the text voice data reproduced by voice this time is 0.30 (sec).
/ Piece) × 5 (piece) = 1.50 (sec).

In step S4, the corresponding unit voice data is selected from the unit voice data size table in which the data size of the unit voice data is stored based on the ID of the unit voice data forming the reproduced sentence. The size of the data is read out, the data size of the document voice data is calculated, and step S5
Proceed to.

In the route guidance shown in FIG. 3, for example, the text voice data for voice guidance at a point 700 m before the intersection B is "approximately", "700",
If it is composed of five unit voice data such as “m ahead”, “to the right”, and “is.”, The data size of these five unit voice data is the unit voice data size data. Then, the data size of each unit voice data is summed up and the data size of the sentence voice data is calculated.

In step S5, the voice reproduction time of the text voice data is calculated from the data size of the text voice data calculated in step S4, and the flow advances to step S6. The voice reproduction time can be calculated from the data size of the text voice data based on the data compression method of the CD-ROM 6.

In the route guidance shown in FIG. 3, the reproduction time of the sentence "about 700 m ahead in the right direction" which is reproduced by voice at a point 700 m before the intersection B is calculated to be, for example, 3 sec.

In step S6, the latest average data composition / transfer time per unit size is read from the data composition / transfer time table, and is read from the data size of the text voice data calculated in step S4. The data synthesis / transfer time of the sentence voice data this time is calculated.

In the route guidance shown in FIG. 3, for example, the data composition / transfer time per unit size stored in the data composition / transfer time table is 0.36 m.
If it is sec / kbit, the data size of the text voice data calculated in step S4 is 801.5 kbi.
Since it is t, the data synthesis / transfer time of the text voice data this time is calculated to be 0.29 sec, for example.

In step S7, the access / readout time calculated in step S3, the voice reproduction time of the text voice data calculated in step S5, and the data synthesis / transfer time of the text voice data calculated in step S6. Is added to calculate the voice output time, and the process proceeds to step S8. In the route guidance shown in FIG. 3, the access / readout time is 1.5 seconds.
ec, 3 seconds for voice reproduction time, 0.29 seconds for data synthesis / transfer time, and 4.79se
c is calculated as the voice output time.

In step S8, vehicle speed data is acquired from the vehicle speed sensor 2 mounted on the vehicle, and the process proceeds to step S9. In step S9, the distance traveled within the voice output time calculated in step S7 is calculated from the acquired vehicle speed data, and the process proceeds to step S10. In this case, for example, if the acquired vehicle speed data is 50 km / h, the voice output time calculated in step S7 is 4.79 sec, so the distance traveled during this period is calculated to be about 67 m. The point about 67 m before the audio output point is set as the audio output start point.

In step S10, it is determined whether or not the current position has reached the voice output start point C with respect to the voice output point, and whether or not it is time to start the voice output control. In the case of the route guidance shown in FIG. 3, the distance calculated in step S9 from the point where the current position is 700 m before the next voice output point, the intersection B, is about 67 m before (the voice output start point C). ) Has been reached.

If it is determined in step S10 that the current position has reached the voice output start point C, the process proceeds to the actual voice output control step after step S11.
If it is determined that the current position has not reached the audio output start point C, the process returns to step S1.

In step S11, an instruction to read out the unit voice data forming the text to be voice-guided at the voice output point is issued, the CD-ROM 6 is accessed to read out the unit voice data, and the CD-ROM 6 is read. The access / reading time until each unit voice data stored in is read is measured, the average access / reading time of the measured access / reading times is calculated, and stored in the access / reading time table. The average access / read time up to the previous time is read, and the latest average access / read time is calculated based on the measurement result of this time.
It is stored in the bull and the process proceeds to step S12.

In the case of the route guidance shown in FIG. 3, the number of unit voice data to be accessed is 5, and the measured access
If the total read time is 1.8 sec, the average access / read time this time is 0.36 sec / piece. This data and the average access / read time up to the previous time stored in the access / read time table (0.3
The latest average access / read time (0.33 sec / piece) is calculated from 0 sec / piece and stored in the access / read time table, and the data is updated.

In step S12, an output request for voice output is made, and the sentence voice data synthesized by combining the unit voice data read from the CD-ROM 6 is D.
Data is transferred to the A / A converter 9, and the data synthesis / transfer time until the transfer of the text voice data is completed is measured, and step S1
Go to 3.

In step S13, per unit size is calculated from the data synthesis / transfer time (0.32 sec) measured in step S12 and the data size of the transferred text voice data (calculated in step S4). Data synthesis
The transfer time (0.40 msec / kbit) is calculated, and the average data composition / transfer time per unit size up to the previous time stored in the data composition / transfer time table (0.
36 msec / kbit) and data composition / transfer time per unit size calculated this time (0.40 msec / kb
It) and the latest average data composition / transfer time per unit size (0.38 msec / kbit) is calculated and stored in the data composition / transfer time table to update the data. Then, the process returns to step S1 to repeat the process for voice output.

As described above, according to the first audio output processing example, since the audio output time for the audio output point is calculated based on the confirmation of the audio output point, the unit audio data to the CD-ROM 6 is calculated. It is possible to grasp the time required from the start of the reading control to the completion of the voice output from the speaker 11 through the D / A converter 9, and the accurate time relating to the voice output control can be grasped. . In addition, it is possible to determine the audio output start point by obtaining the distance traveled within the audio output time from the vehicle speed, and it is possible to measure the accurate timing for audio output in consideration of the running state of the own vehicle. It is possible to perform accurate voice output that does not cause a difference between the actual voice output completion point and the voice output point on the map without shifting the timing of voice guidance with respect to the output point.

Further, the structure of the text voice data, for example, the access / read time, the data synthesis / transfer time, and the reproduction of the text voice data, which change depending on the number of unit voice data and the data size, etc. The time required to calculate the voice output time is calculated, and the voice output time is calculated in consideration of these processing times in which an error is likely to occur during voice output control. Therefore, an accurate voice output time with little time error is calculated. be able to.

In the calculation of the access / read time in step S3, the latest average access / read time stored in the access / read time table is read to calculate the access / read time of the text voice data. The actual access / read time is calculated by using the access / read time calculated by multiplying the number of unit voice data constituting the text voice data by the latest average access / read time. A highly accurate access / readout time close to time can be easily calculated, and the error in the audio output time can be further reduced.

In addition, the data composition in step S6
The transfer time is calculated by combining the latest average data size per unit size stored in the data composition / transfer time table. Read the transfer time to synthesize the text / speech data.
Since it is performed by calculating the transfer time, it is possible to easily calculate the highly accurate data combining / transfer time close to the actual data combining / transfer time, and reduce the error in the audio output time. be able to.

Further, since the average access / readout time is updated and stored every time the CD-ROM 6 is accessed in step S11, the past access / readout time is taken into consideration when calculating the access / readout time in step S3. , The more accurate average access / read time can be used, and the access / read time with less error can be calculated.

In step S13, the average data composition / transfer time per unit size is updated and stored for each voice output process.
When calculating the data composition / transfer time, it is possible to use the highly accurate average data composition / transfer time per unit size in consideration of the past data composition / transfer time.

Next, a second voice output processing example performed by the microcomputer 1 when voice is output to the voice output point will be described. FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a second audio output processing example, and the same processing as that of the first audio output processing example is denoted by the same reference numeral and its description is omitted.

In this second audio output processing example, the processing of steps S3 to S7 in the first audio output processing example is replaced with steps S21 to S24, and the processing of steps S11 to S13 is replaced with steps S25 to S28. Has become.

Further, the EEPROM 13 is provided with an area in which the average voice data processing time required for access, reading, synthesis and transfer per unit data size is updated and stored for each voice output process. The unit data in this processing example means unit audio data stored in the CD-ROM 6.

Access per unit data size
The audio data processing time table in which the average audio data processing time required for reading, synthesizing and transferring is stored in the CD-RO.
From the start of the unit audio data read control from M6,
The read unit voice data is temporarily stored in the RAM 12a, the unit voice data is read from the RAM 12a in a predetermined order and synthesized to generate text voice data, and the text voice data is sent to the D / A converter 9. A series of audio data processing time until the transfer is completed is stored in association with the unit data size. Therefore, the average voice data processing time required for accessing, reading, summing and transferring the unit voice data can be easily obtained from the unit data size.

Also, the voice data processing time measured for each voice output process, each data size of the unit voice data constituting the transferred document voice data, and the unit data size number (unit: The number of voice data) and the voice data processing time required for access / reading / synthesis / transfer per unit data size are calculated for each voice output process, and the newly calculated unit data for each voice output process. -Voice data processing time required for access / reading / synthesis / transfer per data size and average audio data per unit data size up to the previous audio output process.
The average voice data processing time required for access / reading / synthesis / transfer per latest unit data size calculated from the data processing time is updated and stored in the voice data processing time table. Has become.

If it is determined in step S2 in FIG. 5 that the voice output time has not been calculated, step S21
In step S21, the unit voice data size data is determined based on the ID of the unit voice data forming the reproduced sentence.
The size of the corresponding unit voice data is read from the blue, the overall size of the sentence voice data is calculated, and the process proceeds to step S22. In step S22, the voice reproduction time of the text voice data is calculated from the data size of the text voice data calculated in step S21, and the process proceeds to step S23.

In step S23, the latest unit data is read from the voice data processing time table on the basis of each data size of the unit voice data constituting the text voice data read in step S21. -The average voice data processing time required for access / reading / synthesis / transfer per data size is read for each unit voice data, and the read unit voice data is read.
The average voice data processing time of the data is summed up to calculate the voice data processing time of the sentence voice data output this time,
It proceeds to step S24.

In step S24, the voice output time of the sentence voice data calculated in step S22 and step S23.
The voice output time is calculated by adding the voice data processing time of the sentence voice data calculated in step S8, and the process proceeds to step S8.

If it is determined in step S10 that the current position has reached the voice output start point with respect to the voice output point, the process proceeds to the actual voice output control step after step S25 to start the voice output. If it is determined that the point has not been reached, the process returns to step S1.

In step S25, based on the voice output request, a count-up for measuring the voice data processing time required for access / reading / synthesis / transfer is started at the same time as the unit voice data read instruction. Proceeding to step S26, in step S26, the CD-ROM 6 is accessed to read out and read out the unit voice data based on the instruction to read out the unit voice data forming the reproduced sentence voiced at the voice output point. The unit voice data is synthesized to generate sentence voice data, and the sentence voice data is transferred to the D / A converter 9.

At step S27, the text voice data D
When the transfer to the A / A converter 9 is completed, the count-up of the voice data processing time is finished, and then the process proceeds to step S28, where a series of voice data measured by the count-up is finished.
Based on the data processing time and each data size and number of the unit voice data constituting the transferred text voice data, the unit data
Calculates the audio data processing time required for access / reading / synthesis / transfer for each data size, and calculates the audio data processing time data.
Average audio data required for access / reading / synthesis / transfer per unit data size up to the previous time stored in the
From the data processing time and the audio data processing time required for access / reading / synthesis / transfer per unit data size calculated this time, the average voice required for access / reading / synthesis / transfer per latest unit data size. The data processing time is calculated, stored in the audio data processing time table, and after updating the data, the process returns to step S1 to repeat the processing for audio output.

According to the second audio output processing example described above,
Unit data stored in the audio data processing time table
By using the average voice data processing time required for access / reading / synthesis / transfer per data size, the voice output time for the voice output point can be calculated more easily, and the voice output start point can be detected earlier. You can Therefore, the calculation of the voice output time up to the voice output start point has a margin, and the data processing efficiency can be improved.

Further, since the average voice data processing time required for access / reading / synthesizing / transferring per unit data size is updated and stored for each voice output process, the text voice data in step S23 is stored. When calculating the audio data processing time, use the average data processing time required for access / reading / synthesis / transfer with high accuracy per unit data size reflecting the past audio data processing time. ,
It is possible to calculate the voice data processing time for sentence voice data having a small error.

In the second audio output processing example, the unit audio data is read from the storage medium. However, as another processing example, the unit audio data is not recorded in the recording medium. The present invention can also be applied to the case of reading out what is stored in the unit of sentence voice data. In this case, text voice data is used as the unit data, and the time required for access / reading / synthesis / transfer per unit data size is associated with the text voice data to process the data processing time. Store in Bull. Then, the sentence voice data is read from the recording medium based on the sentence voice data ID, and the voice data of the voice voice data is read based on the voice data processing time per unit data size. The processing time can also be calculated.

In the above embodiment, the CD-ROM 6 has been described as an example of a storage medium for storing audio data, but the recording medium is not limited to this. It may be an optical disc such as a DVD-ROM, a hard disc, a storage medium such as a semiconductor memory,
Also, by downloading map information including voice data to a writable storage medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory via communication means, for example, map information distributed via the Internet, the latest information can be obtained. In order to provide the voice guidance to the voice output point by using the downloaded map information of these, even if the voice data is stored in these storage media and the voice is reproduced. Good.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a main part of a navigation system including a voice output device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a first audio output processing example performed by a microcomputer.

FIG. 3 is a route guide diagram for explaining a first voice output processing operation performed by a microcomputer.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a voice output time calculated by a first voice output processing operation performed by a microcomputer.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a second audio output processing example performed by a microcomputer.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematically showing a main part of a navigation system including a conventional audio output device.

[Explanation of symbols] 1 Microcomputer 2 vehicle speed sensor 3 gyro sensor 4 GPS receiver 5 CD drive 6 CD-ROM 7 remote control 8 display devices 9 D / A converter 10 amplifier 11 Speaker 12 memories 12a ROM 12b RAM 13 EEPROM

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G08G 1/0969 G10L 9/18 J G10L 13/00 3/00 Q F term (reference) 2F029 AA02 AB03 AB07 AC02 AC08 AC14 AC18 AD01 5D045 AA01 AB17 5H180 AA01 BB13 FF04 FF05 FF22 FF25 FF27 5J062 BB01 CC07 FF04

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An audio output device comprising audio output control means for transferring audio data from a storage medium to audio output means and outputting audio to an audio output point, wherein the audio output control means comprises: A voice output point confirmation means for confirming the voice output point, and a voice output time for calculating a time from the start of read control of the voice output data at the voice output point to the completion of the voice output from the voice output means. Calculating means, vehicle speed information taking means for taking in vehicle speed information of the vehicle, and voice output based on the vehicle speed information taken in by the vehicle speed information taking means and the voice output time calculated by the voice output time calculating means. A voice output device comprising: a voice output start point determining means for determining a start point. 2. The travel distance calculation means for calculating the distance traveled by the vehicle within the voice output time from the vehicle speed information captured by the vehicle speed information capture means and the voice output time, by the voice output start point determination means. And a voice output timing determining means for determining whether or not the current position is located in front of the voice output point by the distance calculated by the traveling distance calculating means. Audio output device. 3. The audio output time calculating means, the access / reading time calculating means for calculating an access / reading time required for accessing / reading the unit audio data from the storage medium, and the storage medium. A data synthesis / transfer time for synthesizing the read unit voice data and calculating a data synthesis / transfer time required to complete the transfer of the text voice data to the voice output means. A calculation unit, a voice size calculation unit for calculating the data size of the text voice data, and a time required for reproducing the text voice data from the data size calculated by the voice size calculation unit. 3. The voice output device according to claim 1, further comprising a sentence voice data reproduction time calculation means. 4. The access / readout time calculating means measures the access / readout time for each access for reading the unit audio data from the storage medium, and the measured access / readout time and past The latest average access / read time is calculated from the average access / read time, and the latest average access / read time is stored.
4. The voice output device according to claim 3, wherein the latest average access / read time is read from the read time storage means to calculate the access / read time of the text voice data. 5. The data composition / transfer time calculation means measures the data composition / transfer time for each voice output, and the measured data composition / transfer time and the text to be transferred. The data composition / transfer time per unit size is calculated from the data size of the voice data, and the calculated data composition / transfer time per unit size and the average data per unit size in the past. The latest average data composition / transfer time per unit size is calculated from the data composition / transfer time, and the latest average data composition / transfer time per unit size is stored. It is characterized in that the latest average data composition / transfer time per unit size is read out from the transfer time storage means to calculate the data composition / transfer time of the text voice data. Speech according to claim 3 or claim 4 Power equipment. 6. The voice output time calculation means is a voice data required for access, reading, synthesizing and transferring from the start of access of the unit voice data to the storage medium to the completion of transfer of the text voice data. The audio output device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising audio data processing time calculating means for calculating a data processing time. 7. The voice data processing time calculating means measures the voice data processing time for each voice output, and the measured voice data processing time and the sentence voice data output. The audio data processing time per unit data size is calculated from the unit data size number of the data, and the calculated audio data processing time per unit data size and the past unit data size per unit data size. A voice in which the latest average voice data processing time per unit data size is calculated from the average voice data processing time, and the average voice data processing time per latest unit data size is stored. The voice data processing time of the sentence voice data is calculated by reading out the average voice data processing time per the latest unit data size from the data processing time storage means. According to claim 6, Voice output device. 8. An access / read time is measured for each access for reading the unit audio data from the storage medium, and the measured access / read time and the average access / read time measured in the past. A first learning means for calculating the latest average access / readout time from the above, updating the latest average access / readout time for each access, and storing it in the access / readout time storage means. The audio output device according to claim 4, wherein 9. The unit size based on the measured data synthesis / transfer time and the data size of the text voice data to be transferred, which is obtained by measuring the data synthesis / transfer time for each voice output. Per unit size calculated from the calculated data composition / transfer time per unit size and the past average data composition / transfer time per unit size. Of the average data composition / transfer time of the latest unit size
6. The audio output device according to claim 5, further comprising a second learning unit that updates the transfer time for each audio output process and stores the updated data in the data synthesis / transfer time storage unit. . 10. The voice data processing time is measured for each voice output process, and a unit is calculated from the measured voice data processing time and the unit data size number of the text voice data transferred. The voice data processing time required for access / reading / synthesis / transfer per data size is calculated, and the voice data processing time per unit data size is updated for each voice output process, 8. The audio output device according to claim 7, further comprising a third learning means for storing the data in the data processing time storage means.