JP2005164291A - Navigation system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase an information amount in an acoustic output without loading a burden onto a driver so as to conduct effective voice guide. <P>SOLUTION: A guide point to guide a route by a voice is specified on the basis of positional information acquired by a GPS reception part 21, and on the basis of route information set in a route setting part 22. A guide voice control part 25 prepares an image in a front side of the driver on the basis of information of a distance up to the guide point, a direction of an operation to be executed in the guide point and a height, and the distance information, moving direction information and height change information are transmitted effectively by changing an image position during the acoustic output. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation device that performs route guidance of a host vehicle based on preset route information and position information of the host vehicle, and more particularly to a navigation device that improves a guidance effect on a driver.

  Conventionally, a navigation device that registers a planned route of the host vehicle and performs route guidance by voice has been realized. In this navigation device, an intersection where the host vehicle makes a right or left turn is identified based on the planned route, map information, and current position, and the vehicle is caused to travel according to the route set by notifying the driver in advance.

  At this time, although the screen display and the voice output are used in combination for the driver's notification, it is not preferable to watch the display while driving the vehicle, so the notification by voice is very useful. Thus, in navigation devices, how to increase the amount of information in voice output and realize effective route guidance without burdening the vehicle operation by the driver is an important issue.

  Therefore, for example, in Patent Document 1, the direction of the voice is utilized as information by controlling the guidance voice of the navigation device to be heard from the relative angle direction with respect to the driver. Similarly, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for outputting sound data by localizing a sound image in the direction of road guidance, and Patent Document 3 also changes the localization direction of the notification sound according to the route situation. A technique for performing route guidance is disclosed.

JP 7-57190 A JP-A-6-176296 JP-A-8-110237

  However, if the direction of voice output is localized in the guidance direction as in the above-described prior art, the driver may be confused when guidance in different directions is performed continuously. For example, in the case of guiding to “turn right at the next intersection and turn left at the next signal”, the driver outputs the sound from the right direction and immediately outputs the sound from the left direction. You will be aware of the information in the left direction that you heard from. That is, information by text (speech content) can be easily recognized as time-series information on the driver side, but information on the direction of sound can be recognized in time-series by the later information canceling out the previous information. Since it is difficult, the complicated change in the voice direction requires the driver to memorize the “order of the direction in which the sound was heard”.

  In addition, especially when the guidance direction is the rear side or the rear side even if it is right or left, that is, when performing guidance with a large change in curvature, if the guidance voice is output from the rear side, it is difficult to hear from the human ear. Since guidance is performed, there is a risk that the driver may miss it. Furthermore, even in the case of a route with a large curvature, in the actual traveling, the traveling direction of the host vehicle is gradually changed so that the direction of the host vehicle finally corresponds to a desired direction, and the traveling direction of the host vehicle is directly opposed. The sound output from the direction or the vicinity thereof deviates from the behavior of the own vehicle.

That is, in the above-described prior art, when increasing the amount of information of voice output, the driver's side is not considered easy to hear, and information deviating from the actual vehicle behavior may be added. There was a problem that it occurred. For this reason, it has been a conventional problem to increase the amount of information in voice output without imposing a burden on the driver, thereby improving the effect of route guidance.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art and to solve the problems. The present invention increases the amount of information in voice output without imposing a burden on the driver, and provides effective voice guidance. It is an object to provide a navigation device for performing.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a navigation device according to the invention of claim 1 performs navigation for guiding a route of the host vehicle based on preset scheduled route information and position information of the host vehicle. A device that obtains a first guidance direction to be notified to the driver from the planned route information and the position information, and a guidance position corresponding to the first guidance direction and the first guidance direction; Next, a guidance information acquisition unit that acquires at least one of the second guidance directions to be notified, and a sound image that notifies the guidance content based on the information acquired by the guidance information acquisition unit are created. When the sound image creation means and the guidance information acquisition means acquire the first guidance direction and the guidance position corresponding to the first guidance direction, the relative direction of the sound image to the driver based on the obtained content When the guidance information acquisition unit acquires the first guidance direction and the second guidance direction, a single relative direction of the sound image to the driver is determined based on the acquired content. And when the guide information acquisition means acquires the first guide direction, the guide position corresponding to the first guide direction, and the second guide direction, based on the acquisition content Sound image control means for determining a relative distance and a single relative direction of the sound image to the driver.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the navigation device includes the first guidance direction to be notified to the driver, the guidance position corresponding to the first guidance direction, and the first guidance direction from the scheduled route information and the position information. The relative direction and the relative distance to the driver of the sound image for obtaining the second guidance direction to be notified next and notifying the guidance content are determined.

  The navigation device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the navigation device according to the first aspect, wherein the sound image control means is configured such that when the first guidance direction and the second guidance direction are different, the relative direction of the sound image is determined. Is made to coincide with the first guiding direction.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the first guidance direction and the second guidance direction are different, the navigation device provides the first guidance in a direction corresponding to the first guidance direction with respect to the driver. A sound image for informing the direction and the second guidance direction is created.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the navigation device according to the first or second aspect, the sound image control means moves the sound image corresponding to the behavior of the host vehicle estimated from the first guidance direction. It is characterized by making it.

  According to the invention of claim 3, the navigation apparatus moves the sound image in accordance with the behavior of the host vehicle estimated from the first guidance direction.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the navigation apparatus according to the third aspect, the sound image control means starts moving the sound image from a predetermined position in front of the driver.

  According to the invention of claim 4, the navigation device starts moving the sound image from a predetermined position in front of the driver.

  The navigation device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the navigation device according to the fourth aspect, wherein the sound image control means displays the sound image when the first guidance direction is the rear side with respect to the traveling direction of the host vehicle. It is characterized by moving in the first guiding direction after moving forward.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the navigation device moves the sound image in the first guidance direction after moving the sound image forward when the first guidance direction is the rear side with respect to the traveling direction of the host vehicle.

  The navigation device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the navigation device according to the third, fourth or fifth aspect, wherein the sound image control means corresponds to the start position of the sound image and the direction change position of the sound image corresponding to the guidance position. , Wherein at least one of the moving amounts of the sound image is changed.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the navigation device changes at least one of the movement start position of the sound image, the direction change position of the sound image, and the movement amount of the sound image corresponding to the guidance position.

  The navigation device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the navigation device according to any of the third to sixth aspects, further comprising speed information acquisition means for acquiring speed information of the host vehicle, wherein the sound image control means corresponds to the speed information. Then, at least one of the movement start position of the sound image, the direction change position of the sound image, and the movement amount of the sound image is changed.

  According to the seventh aspect of the invention, the navigation device acquires the speed information of the host vehicle, and changes at least one of the movement start position of the sound image, the direction of change of the sound image, and the movement amount of the sound image in accordance with the speed information. Let

  The navigation device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the navigation device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the first guidance direction and / or the second guidance direction has information on a height direction, and the sound image control is performed. The means further controls the height of the sound image for the driver.

  According to the eighth aspect of the invention, the navigation device has information on the height direction of the first guidance direction and the second guidance direction, and further controls the height of the sound image for the driver by the sound image control means.

  A navigation device according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the navigation device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the output level of the other audio output is lowered during the output of the sound image, and the output of the other audio output is completed after the output of the sound image. The sound output control means for recovering the output level in a stepwise manner is further provided.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the navigation device lowers the output level of the other sound output during the output of the sound image, and recovers the output level of the other sound output in a stepwise manner after the output of the sound image.

  The navigation device according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the navigation device according to the ninth aspect, wherein the audio output control means gradually reduces the output level of the other audio output before outputting the sound image. And

  According to the tenth aspect of the invention, the navigation device reduces the output level of the other audio output stepwise before outputting the sound image, and recovers the output level of the other audio output stepwise after the output of the sound image ends. Let

  The navigation device according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is the navigation device according to the tenth aspect, wherein the audio output control means includes a rate of decrease in other audio output before the output of the sound image and another rate after the output of the sound image. The recovery rate of audio output is controlled independently.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the invention, the navigation device reduces the output level of the other audio output stepwise at a predetermined reduction rate before outputting the sound image, and the output level of the other audio output after the output of the sound image ends. Is recovered in stages with a recovery rate different from the rate of decrease.

  A navigation device according to a twelfth aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the invention of the eleventh aspect, the reduction rate of the other audio output is larger than the recovery rate of the other audio output.

  According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the navigation device reduces the output level of the other audio output stepwise at a predetermined reduction rate before outputting the sound image, and the output level of the other audio output after the output of the sound image ends. Is gradually recovered with a recovery rate smaller than the rate of decrease.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the navigation device determines the first guidance direction to be notified to the driver, the guidance position corresponding to the first guidance direction, and the first guidance direction from the planned route information and the position information. The second guidance direction to be notified next and the relative direction and relative distance of the sound image for notifying the guidance contents are determined, so the amount of information to be transmitted without increasing the burden on the driver is increased. Thus, there is an effect that a navigation device that performs effective route guidance can be obtained.

  According to the invention of claim 2, when the first guidance direction and the second guidance direction are different, the navigation device has the first guidance direction in the direction corresponding to the first guidance direction with respect to the driver. Since the sound image for notifying the guidance direction and the second guidance direction is created, there is an effect that it is possible to obtain a navigation device that can effectively transmit time-series route information without causing confusion to the driver.

  Further, according to the invention of claim 3, the navigation device moves the sound image in accordance with the behavior of the host vehicle estimated from the first guidance direction, so that the planned route is effective without imposing a burden on the driver. It is possible to obtain a navigation device that can be transmitted automatically.

  According to the invention of claim 4, since the navigation device starts moving the sound image from a predetermined position in front of the driver, a navigation device that can be easily heard by the driver and can effectively transmit the planned route is provided. There is an effect that it can be obtained.

  According to the invention of claim 5, the navigation device moves the sound image in the first guidance direction after moving the sound image forward when the first guidance direction is the rear side with respect to the traveling direction of the host vehicle. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to obtain a navigation device that is easy to hear for the driver and can transmit the planned route according to the actual behavior.

  According to the invention of claim 6, the navigation device changes at least one of the movement start position of the sound image, the direction of change of the direction of the sound image, and the amount of movement of the sound image corresponding to the guidance position. It is possible to obtain a sense of distance and to obtain a navigation device that performs more effective route guidance.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the navigation device acquires speed information of the host vehicle, and at least one of a movement start position of the sound image, a direction change position of the sound image, and a movement amount of the sound image corresponding to the speed information. Since it is changed, the driver can obtain a navigation device that can grasp a sense close to the movement of the host vehicle and perform more effective route guidance.

  According to the invention of claim 8, the navigation device has information on the height direction of the first guidance direction and the second guidance direction, and further controls the height of the sound image for the driver by the sound image control means. Therefore, the driver can sensuously grasp the gradient information of the actual road, and there is an effect that a navigation device that performs more effective route guidance can be obtained.

  According to the invention of claim 9, the navigation device lowers the output level of the other audio output during the output of the sound image, and recovers the output level of the other audio output step by step after the output of the sound image is completed. There is an effect that it is possible to obtain a navigation device that realizes an audio output that is easy to hear for the driver and less uncomfortable.

  According to the invention of claim 10, the navigation device reduces the output level of the other sound output stepwise before outputting the sound image, and stepwise reduces the output level of the other sound output after the output of the sound image. Since the recovery is performed, there is an effect that it is possible to obtain a navigation device that reduces a sense of incongruity at the start of route guidance by voice.

  Further, according to the invention of claim 11, the navigation device gradually reduces the output level of the other audio output at a predetermined reduction rate before outputting the sound image, and outputs the other audio output after the output of the sound image is completed. Since the level is recovered stepwise with a recovery rate different from the rate of decrease, there is an effect that it is possible to obtain a navigation device that can quickly start route guidance and realize voice output with less discomfort.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the navigation device gradually reduces the output level of the other audio output at a predetermined reduction rate before outputting the sound image, and outputs the other audio output after the output of the sound image is completed. Since the level is recovered stepwise with a recovery rate smaller than the decrease rate, there is an effect that it is possible to obtain a navigation device that can quickly start route guidance and realize a voice output with less discomfort.

  Exemplary embodiments of a navigation device according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a navigation system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the navigation system 1 includes a navigation unit 2, an audio unit 3, a speaker control unit 4, and speakers SP1 to SP4.

Furthermore, the navigation unit 2 has a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiving unit 21, a route setting unit 22, a vehicle speed acquisition unit 23, a guide content creation unit 24, a guide voice control unit 25, and a guide display control unit 26 therein. . Here, the GPS reception unit 21, the route setting unit 22, the vehicle speed acquisition unit 23, the guide content creation unit 24, the guide voice control unit 25, and the guide display control unit 26 may be configured by a microcomputer or the like, or by an electronic circuit. It may be configured. In addition, this configuration is classified according to each function, and the physical configuration may be integrated in whole or in part.

  The GPS receiver 21 receives information from a GPS artificial satellite, acquires time information, and specifies position information of the host vehicle. Further, the GPS receiving unit 21 outputs the specified position of the own vehicle to the guide content creating unit 24.

  The route setting unit 22 is a processing unit that accepts user input from a driver or the like and sets and stores a planned route of the host vehicle. In addition, the route setting unit 22 outputs the set route and map information to the guide content creation unit 24.

  The vehicle speed acquisition unit 23 acquires vehicle speed information of the host vehicle and outputs the vehicle speed information to the guide content creation unit 24. The vehicle speed information may be acquired from the speedometer of the host vehicle or may be calculated from the transition of the position information specified by the GPS receiving unit 21.

  The guide content creation unit 24 creates content to be notified to the driver of the host vehicle based on the outputs of the GPS reception unit 21, the route setting unit 22, and the vehicle speed acquisition unit 23. Specifically, information on a place where voice guidance should be performed next to the driver is stored as first guide point information 24a, and information on a place where voice guidance should be performed next to the first guide point is stored as second guide point information. Store as 24b. Here, the guide point is a place where it is determined that the guidance voice should be output to the driver based on the planned route of the host vehicle, the current position, and the map information. This determination, that is, the determination of “where the guidance voice should be output” is the same as in the prior art, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

  More specifically, the content of the first guide point information includes distance information from the current position of the host vehicle to the place (first guide point), direction information indicating the direction that the host vehicle should take at the place, It is the height information of the place. Similarly, the content of the second guide point information includes distance information from the first guide point to the place (second guide point), direction information indicating the direction that the vehicle should take at the place, and the height of the place. It is information. The distance information in the second guide point information may be information indicating the distance from the current position of the host vehicle to the second guide point.

  For example, when the vehicle turns right at an intersection 300 m ahead from the current position and turns left at a signal after a right turn, the first guide point is an intersection 300 m ahead, and the signal after a right turn is a second guide point.

  The guide content creation unit 24 determines the content of route guidance using the first guide point information and the second guide point information. Further, of the route guidance, the content output by voice is output to the guide voice control unit 25, and the content displayed on the display is output to the guide display control unit 26.

  Based on the output of the guide content creation unit 24, the guide voice control unit 25 determines from which direction the guide voice is output to the driver, and transmits it to the speaker control unit 4. Further, the guide display control unit 24 transmits the content to be displayed on the display to the audio unit 3 based on the output of the guide content creation unit 24.

  The audio unit 3 includes a main control unit 31, an audio output control unit 32, and a display 33 therein. Here, the main control unit 31 and the audio output control unit 32 may be configured by a microcomputer or the like, or may be configured by an electronic circuit. In addition, this configuration is classified according to each function, and the physical configuration may be integrated.

The main control unit 31 is a control unit that controls the audio unit 3 as a whole. For example, if the audio unit 3 is a DVD player, the main control unit 31 reads out music information stored on a DVD disc and outputs the music information to the audio output control unit 32. At the same time, video information and the like are read and displayed on the display 33. Further, the audio output control unit 32 is connected to the main control unit 31.
The music information output by is transmitted to the speaker control unit 4. The audio unit 3 is not limited to a DVD player, and may have a function such as a compact disc, a hard disk, a radio, and a television.

  Here, the display 33 is shared with the route guidance image display by the navigation unit 2. Therefore, the main control unit 31 has a function of causing the display 33 to display the content received from the guide display control unit 26 inside the navigation unit 2. That is, the main control unit 31 performs integrated management of the display 33 as well as reading and outputting information from various media.

  The speaker control unit 4 includes a main control unit 41, a codec 42, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) 43, and an amplifier 44 therein. The main control unit 41, the codec 42, and the DSP 43 may be configured by a microcomputer or the like, or may be configured by an electronic circuit. In addition, this configuration is classified according to each function, and the physical configuration may be integrated.

  The audio information received from the guide audio control unit 25 in the navigation unit 2 and the music information received from the audio output control unit 32 in the audio unit 3 are subjected to predetermined digital compression processing. Therefore, the codec 42 decodes the audio information and the music information by the A / D unit 42a included therein, and outputs the decoded audio information to the DSP 43 as sound data.

  The main control unit 41 is a control unit that controls the speaker control unit 4 as a whole. Specifically, the main control unit 41 performs integrated control of audio output from the navigation unit 2 and music output from the audio unit 3 to determine which speaker. Controls how much audio and music playback is performed from.

  The DSP 43 determines the output content from each speaker based on the output of the main control unit 41, performs digital signal processing on the output of the A / D unit 42 a, and performs a DA converter unit (D / A unit) inside the codec 42. 42b). The output of the D / A section 42b is adjusted in output intensity by the amplifier 44 and is reproduced as voice or music from the speakers SP1 to SP4.

  The speakers SP1 to SP4 are arranged in the vehicle interior such as a right front speaker, a left front speaker, a right rear speaker, and a left rear speaker. These speakers can output sound so that sound can be heard from the driver in a desired direction and a desired distance by controlling the output intensity of each speaker. In this way, the sound output so that the driver can hear from a virtual position is hereinafter referred to as a sound image, and the virtual position is referred to as a sound image position.

  The sound image position is determined by the guide voice control unit 25, and the speaker output for realizing the sound image position is adjusted by the main control unit 41 and the DSP 43. Specifically, the guide voice control unit 25 determines the position of the sound image from the distance information, the direction information, and the height information of the first guide point.

Next, the creation of a sound image in the navigation device 1 will be further described. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a specific example of creating a sound image. In the figure, three sound image creation ranges 51, 52, and 53 are set for the driver 50. The sound image creation range 51 is used when guiding operations near the current position of the host vehicle. The sound image creation range 52 is used when guiding operations at a medium distance, for example, 300 m ahead from the current position of the host vehicle. Furthermore, the sound image creation range 53 is used when guiding an operation at a long distance, for example, 700 m away from the current position of the host vehicle.

  The sound image creation range 51 has a movement start position 51a and a direction change position 51b therein. When creating a sound image in the sound image creation range 51, first, a sound image is created at the movement start position 51a, and the sound image position is moved together with the sound output. Thereafter, the moving direction of the sound image is changed from the direction change position 51b, thereby indicating in which direction the host vehicle should travel by the moving direction of the sound image.

  In the sound image creation range 51, the moving directions of the sound image are “front”, “right front”, “left front”, “right direction”, “left direction”, “right rear”, “left rear”, and “rear”. It corresponds to the direction. Therefore, for example, when notifying the driver to change the course to “right front” at the next intersection, voice information “next intersection is right front” is created, and the sound image position is moved as shown in the sound image GV1. Sound output is started at the start position 51a, the sound image position is moved during the output of the sound information, and the moving direction is changed from the direction change position 51b to the right front.

  Similarly, the sound image creation range 52 has a movement start position 52a and a direction change position 52b inside thereof. When creating a sound image, first, a sound image is created at the movement start position 52a and the sound image position is set together with the sound output. The moving direction of the sound image is changed from the direction change position 52b. Also in the sound image creation range 52, the moving direction of the sound image is “front”, “right front”, “left front”, “right direction”, “left direction”, “right rear”, “left rear”, “rear” 8 directions.

  Furthermore, the sound image creation range 53 has a movement start position 53a and a direction change position 53b inside. When creating a sound image, first, a sound image is created at the movement start position 53a and the sound image position is moved together with the sound output. The moving direction of the sound image is changed from the direction change position 53b. Also in the sound image creation range 53, the moving direction of the sound image is “front”, “right front”, “left front”, “right direction”, “left direction”, “right rear”, “left rear”, “rear” 8 directions. The sound image creation range 53 may be a point fixed to the driver 50. In that case, the sound output from the sound image creation range 53 is not accompanied by the movement of the sound image.

  Further, the size of the sound image creation range 51 is larger than that of the sound image creation range 52. Further, the distance d20 from the driver 50 to the movement start position 52a of the sound image creation range 52 and the distance d21 to the direction change position are the distance d10 from the driver 50 to the movement start position 51a of the sound image creation range 51, and the direction change position. Is larger than the distance d11. Similarly, the size of the sound image creation range 52 is larger than that of the sound image creation range 53. The distance d30 from the driver 50 to the movement start position 53a of the sound image creation range 53 and the distance d31 to the direction change position are as follows. The distance d20 from the person 50 to the movement start position 52a of the sound image creation range 52 is larger than the distance d21 to the direction change position.

  Therefore, when guiding an operation in the vicinity of the host vehicle, the sound is heard near the driver 50, and the amount of movement of the sound image is large. When guiding an operation at a medium distance, the sound is heard. Is heard at a medium distance from the driver 50, and the moving amount of the sound image is small. Further, when guiding an operation at a long distance, the sound is heard from a distance, and the moving amount of the sound image is further reduced or does not move.

Therefore, the driver 50 can recognize information about the guided route not only by the contents of the voice but also by the movement of the sound image. Furthermore, for example, even for guidance voices to “right rear”, “left rear”, and “rear”, the sound image position moves forward from the movement start positions 51a and 52a and then goes straight to the direction change positions 51b and 52b. Since the direction changes later, the direction can be guided in accordance with the actual behavior of the host vehicle, and voice can be output from the front of the driver 50. Therefore, the amount of information in voice output can be increased without burdening the driver 50, and effective route guidance can be performed.

  FIG. 3 shows a specific example when route guidance to the rear of the host vehicle is performed. In the figure, a sound image GV4 is created in the sound image creation range 51. First, the sound image GV4 is localized at the movement start position 51a and starts outputting sound, and the sound image position is moved during the output of the sound information, so that the moving direction changes backward from the direction change position 51b.

  In this way, by once moving the sound image forward, it is possible to output a guidance voice that instructs the driver 50 to change the direction of the vehicle backward. In particular, when moving the sound image, if the sound image position is moved so as to pass the driver's head position, the speech recognition rate is lowered, and in particular, it is difficult to recognize the directionality. In the sound image movement shown, it is possible to avoid passing the driver's head position in any movement direction.

  By the way, the movement start position of the sound image and the movement amount of the sound image are not necessarily fixed. For example, when the speed of the host vehicle changes, the arrival time to the guide point is shortened. Therefore, the amount of information transmitted to the driver can be further increased by changing the movement start position of the sound image and the movement amount of the sound image based on the vehicle speed acquired by the vehicle speed acquisition unit 23.

  A change in the movement start position and movement amount of the sound image based on the speed of the host vehicle will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, for the sound image GV5, the distance from the movement start position 51a to the direction change position 51b is l1, and the distance from the direction change position 51b to the sound image movement end position is l2.

  When the speed of the host vehicle is high, the time to the operation of the host vehicle, that is, the time to reach the guide point can be shown to be short by moving the movement start position 51a forward and shortening l1. Further, when the speed of the host vehicle is high, the amount of operation per time for changing the traveling direction of the host vehicle in a desired direction increases. Therefore, when the speed of the host vehicle is high, the required driving operation can be shown to be large by increasing l2.

  Further, the moving direction of the sound image is not necessarily limited to the horizontal direction. For example, when the host vehicle goes up to an elevated road such as an expressway or gets off the elevated road, a height component is added to the traveling direction of the host vehicle. Therefore, by obtaining height information from information on guide points and changing the height of the sound image, it is possible to realize voice guidance that further matches the actual behavior of the host vehicle.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a change in the height direction of a sound image. In the figure, the sound image GV6 created in the sound image creation area 51 is first positioned at the movement start position 51a to start sound output, and the sound image position is moved during output of sound information to change the direction change position 51b. The direction of movement changes from the top to the bottom. Therefore, the amount of information in voice output can be further increased, and it can be clearly shown that the host vehicle goes up to the elevated road. Needless to say, the movement of the sound image in the height direction can be performed in combination with the movement of the sound image in the horizontal direction.

  Next, a case where a plurality of guide points are continuously notified will be described. For example, if the direction information of the first guide point indicates a right turn, the direction information of the second guide point indicates a left turn, and the first guide point and the second guide point are close to each other, “turn right at the next intersection. It is desirable to create and output a continuous voice saying "Turn left at the signal after that."

However, in such a continuous voice, the voice is output from each direction (the right side corresponding to the right turn and the left side corresponding to the left turn), or the sound image is once moved to the right side and then moved to the left side. This causes confusion for the driver. Therefore, in the continuous audio output, as shown in FIG. 6, the audio output corresponding to the first guide point and the second guide point is performed from the direction 61 (right side) corresponding to the first guide point, and the second guide point is output. No sound is output from the corresponding direction 62 (left side).

  As described above, in continuous sound output, sound is output from only the necessary operation direction. That is, when creating a sound image in the guide voice control unit 25, the first guide point and the second guide point are not handled independently, but are processed as comprehensive time-series information, and the position and movement of the sound image are generated. Determine the direction. Therefore, it is possible to clearly transmit time-series information without causing confusion for the driver.

  Next, the operation of the main control unit 41 in the speaker control unit 4 will be described. When audio information is output from the navigation unit 2 in a state where music information is output from the audio unit 3, that is, music is output from the speakers SP1 to SP4, the audio information for route guidance is provided to the driver. It is desirable to reduce the output of music information in order to communicate more effectively.

  However, a sudden change in the output level of music information gives the driver and passengers a sense of incongruity. Therefore, when outputting the voice information (guide voice) for route guidance, the main control unit 41 changes the output of the music information (audio output) step by step, so that the driver and passengers feel uncomfortable. Decrease.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating guide voice output during music information output. As shown in the figure, in the initial state, music information is output at 0 dB. When there is a request for outputting audio information from the navigation unit 2 during the audio output, the main control unit 41 reduces the audio output step by step prior to the output of the audio information.

  In FIG. 7, the main control unit 41 receives an output request for audio information at time t11 and gradually decreases the audio output from time t11. Thereafter, output of audio information is started when the audio output is reduced to −6 dB (time t12).

  Further, after the output of the voice information is completed at time t13, that is, after the route guidance by voice is completed, the output is gradually recovered until the audio output is restored to 0 dB at time t14.

  As described above, by reducing and recovering the audio output stepwise before and after the route guidance by voice, it is possible to reduce the uncomfortable feeling felt by the driver and passengers.

  In FIG. 7, the rate of decrease in audio output before the start of audio output and the rate of recovery of audio output after the end of audio output are the same. However, for example, when voice output with a high degree of urgency is performed, such as voice guidance in the vicinity of a guide point, only recovery of audio output may be performed in stages, or the rate of decrease in audio output may be set as a recovery rate. It may be larger than that.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a case where only recovery of audio output is performed in stages. In the figure, the main control unit 41 receives an output request for audio information at time t21, decreases the audio output from 0 dB to −6 dB at time t21, and starts outputting audio information.

  Thereafter, after the output of the voice information is completed at time t22, that is, after the route guidance by voice is completed, the audio output is gradually restored, and the audio output is restored to 0 dB at time t23.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a case where the rate of decrease in audio output is larger than the recovery rate. In the figure, the main control unit 41 receives an audio information output request at time t31, and gradually decreases the audio output by time t32, which is the audio output start time, and also ends the audio output (time). The audio output is recovered stepwise from t34) to time t35.

  Here, the rate of decrease in audio output from time t31 to time t32 is larger than the rate of recovery of audio output from time t34 to time t35. Therefore, it is possible to reduce a sense of incongruity due to a change in the audio output after the end of the audio output while shortening the time from the request for audio output to the start of the audio output.

  Thus, the audio output can be controlled by an arbitrary method. The control of the audio output may be changed according to the content of the audio output. For example, when the guide point is a long distance, the control shown in FIG. 7 is used. When the guide point is a short distance, the control shown in FIG. 8 is used, and when the guide point is a medium distance. For this, the control shown in FIG. 9 may be used. Similarly, the urgency level of the content of the audio output can be used as a selection criterion for the audio output control method.

  By the way, the output value of the guide voice does not necessarily need to be fixed, and the output level may be changed according to time or the like. For example, the nighttime output level may be smaller than the daytime output level, or the output level in the suburbs may be smaller than the output level in an urban area. Time information and position information of the host vehicle can be acquired from the GPS receiver 21.

  Next, communication between the navigation unit 2 and the speaker control unit 4 will be described. Communication between the navigation unit 2 and the speaker control unit 4 may be performed using an in-vehicle LAN function or may be directly wired. When direct wiring is performed, wiring corresponding to each of the route guidance audio signal, the sound image direction designation signal, and the audio output mute signal is performed from the navigation unit.

  The route guidance voice signal is a signal indicating the waveform of the voice to be output, and this signal may be an analog signal or a digital signal. The sound image direction designation signal is a signal indicating the creation position and movement content of the sound image, and text data or binary data can be used. Further, the audio output mute signal is a signal for requesting the output of a route guidance audio signal, that is, a request for lowering the reproduction output of music information output from the audio unit 3 or the like, or stopping the reproduction, and uses a binary signal or the like. be able to.

  Next, the sound image creation processing operation will be described with reference to FIG. The processing flow shown in FIG. 10 is repeatedly executed when the navigation unit 2 operates. First, the guide content creation unit 24 creates guide point information from the position of the host vehicle and the planned route (step S101). Next, the guide content creation unit 24 determines whether or not the guide point exists in the vicinity of the host vehicle (step S102).

If the guide point exists in the vicinity of the host vehicle (step S102, Yes), the guide voice control unit 25 sets the sound image creation range to a short distance, that is, selects the sound image creation range 51 (step S105). On the other hand, if the guide point does not exist in the vicinity of the host vehicle (step S102, No), the guide content creation unit 24 determines whether the guide point exists within 300 m from the host vehicle (step S103).

  If the guide point exists within 300 m from the host vehicle (step S103, Yes), the guide voice control unit 25 sets the sound image creation range to a medium distance, that is, selects the sound image creation range 52 (step S106). On the other hand, if the guide point does not exist within 300 m from the host vehicle (step S103, No), the guide content creation unit 24 determines whether the guide point exists within 700 m from the host vehicle (step S104). .

  If the guide point exists within 700 m from the host vehicle (step S104, Yes), the guide voice control unit 25 sets the sound image creation range to a long distance, that is, selects the sound image creation range 53 (step S107). On the other hand, if the guide point does not exist within 700 m from the host vehicle (step S104, No), the guide content creation unit 24 ends the process.

  After completing the setting of the sound image creation range (step S105, step S106, step S107), the guide voice control unit 25 creates sound image data using the first guide point information and the second guide point information (step S108).

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not height information exists in the first guide point information and the second guide point information (step S109). If the height information exists, the height information is added to the sound image data ( Step S110).

  After step S110 is completed, or when there is no height information in the first guide point information and the second guide point information (No in step S109), the guide voice control unit 25 outputs the sound image data to the speaker control unit 22. (Step S111), the process ends.

  By the way, various processes described above, that is, addition of directionality to sound information using sound images (sound image movement control), fixation of sound images to the first guide point during continuous sound information reproduction, Each function of height information addition and audio output stage control (linear attenuation) may be configured so that the user can select whether to use each function.

  Selection of the function by the user can be received using, for example, a touch panel display. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a specific example of a display screen on which a function is selected. In the display screen 70 shown in the figure, virtual buttons for selecting “ON”, “OFF: left”, and “OFF: right” are created for direction control, that is, sound image movement control. Here, “OFF: Left” is a button for instructing sound output only from the left side speaker without performing sound image movement control, and “OFF: Right” is performing sound image movement control. It is a button for instructing voice output only from the right side speaker.

  For the continuous voice guidance mode, that is, for fixing the sound image to the first guide point at the time of continuous voice information reproduction, a virtual button for instructing “fixed in the forward direction” or “not fixed” is created, and the height is set. For the control, that is, the addition of height information to the sound image, virtual buttons for instructing “ON” and “OFF” are created.

  Further, for music signal linear attenuation, that is, audio output stage control, a virtual button for instructing “ON” and “OFF” of the function itself and an input for designating an output reduction rate (slope <DOWN>). Field, and an input field for designating the output recovery rate (slope <UP>).

  In this way, whether or not to use each function and the setting of the operation content can be input from the user, so that output control according to the user's preference can be performed.

  As an example, FIG. 12 shows a processing flow when it is possible to select whether or not to fix the direction of a sound image during continuous audio information reproduction. The processing flow of FIG. 12 is obtained by adding a step of confirming the selection contents by the user to the processing flow shown in FIG. 10, and specifically, step S201 and step S202 are provided between step S105 and step S108. Step S203 and Step S204 are added between Step S106 and Step S108, and Step S205 and Step S206 are added between Step S107 and Step S108.

  In the processing flow shown in FIG. 12, after setting the sound image creation range to a short distance in step S105, the guide voice control unit 25 confirms the setting content selected by the user, and whether the mode setting is fixed to the preceding voice. Whether or not (fixing of the sound image to the first guide point at the time of continuous audio information reproduction is selected) is determined (step S201).

  When the preceding voice fixed mode is set, that is, when the “previous direction fixed” button in the continuous voice guidance mode is selected (Yes in step S201), the guide voice control unit 25 sets the first guide point. The direction of the sound image for guidance and the direction of the sound image for guidance for the second guide point are fixed to the first voice direction (the direction indicated by the direction information of the first guide point) (step S202). Then, after the end of step S202, or when the preceding voice fixed mode is not set, that is, when the “non-fixed” button in the continuous voice guidance mode is selected (step S201, Yes). The process proceeds to creation of sound image data (step S108).

  Similarly, after the sound image creation range is set to the medium distance in step S106, the guide voice control unit 25 determines whether or not the preceding voice fixed mode setting is set (step S203). As a result, when the mode setting is fixed to the preceding voice (step S203, Yes), the guide voice control unit 25 uses the direction of the sound image that guides the first guide point and the sound image that guides the second guide point. Is fixed to the first voice direction (step S204). Then, after the end of step S204, or when the preceding audio fixed mode has not been set (step S203, Yes), the process proceeds to creation of sound image data (step S108).

  Further, after the sound image creation range is set to a long distance in step S107, the guide voice control unit 25 determines whether or not the mode setting is fixed to the preceding voice (step S205). As a result, when the mode setting is fixed to the preceding voice (step S205, Yes), the guide voice control unit 25 uses the direction of the sound image that guides the first guide point and the sound image that guides the second guide point. Is fixed to the first voice direction (step S206). Then, after the end of step S206, or when the advance audio fixed mode is not set (step S205, Yes), the process proceeds to creation of sound image data (step S108).

  The processing operations of the other processing steps are the same as the processing flow shown in FIG.

In the processing flow shown in FIG. 12, when the direction of the sound image is determined, the setting content by the user is confirmed. If “fixed preceding direction” is selected, the voice guidance is fixed and fixed in the first voice direction. If “no fixation” is selected, the voice guidance for the first guide point and the voice guidance for the second guide point can be output from different directions.

  For other functions (addition of directionality to sound information using sound images, addition of height information to sound images, stage control of audio output), a processing step for confirming setting contents by the user is also added. Thus, it is possible to set in detail whether or not to use each function.

  As described above, in the navigation system 1 according to the present embodiment, a sound image creation range is set in front of the driver, and information on the route direction, information on the distance, and information on the height is obtained by moving the sound image. Since the information is provided, the amount of information in the voice output can be increased without burdening the driver, and effective route guidance can be performed.

  In addition, when performing continuous voice guidance, the voice output is performed with the direction fixed in advance, so that time series information can be clearly transmitted without causing confusion for the driver. Become.

  Furthermore, by reducing and recovering the audio output stepwise before and after the route guidance by voice, the contents of the route guidance can be effectively and reliably transmitted without giving the user a sense of incongruity.

  Note that the configuration shown in this embodiment is an example of utilization of the present invention, and may be implemented with various modifications. For example, in this embodiment, the navigation unit, the audio unit, and the speaker control are independent of each other, but it goes without saying that these may be integrated.

Further, in this embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, only the first guide point and the second guide point have been described as guide points. However, the guide voice is controlled using more guide points. Also good.

  In this embodiment, the case where three sound image creation ranges are set has been described as an example. Needless to say, the number of sound image creation ranges can be set to an arbitrary number.

  As described above, the navigation device according to the present invention is useful for route guidance by voice, and is particularly suitable for increasing the amount of information in voice and improving the guidance effect.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a navigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the specific example of preparation of a sound image. It is explanatory drawing explaining the example in the case of performing route guidance to the back of the own vehicle. It is explanatory drawing explaining the change of the movement start position and movement amount of a sound image based on the speed of the own vehicle. It is explanatory drawing explaining the change of the height direction of a sound image. It is explanatory drawing explaining the output direction in the continuous audio | voice output. It is explanatory drawing explaining the guide audio | voice output during music information output. It is explanatory drawing explaining the case where only recovery | restoration of an audio output is performed in steps. It is explanatory drawing explaining the case where the fall rate of an audio output is enlarged compared with the recovery rate. It is a flowchart explaining the processing operation of sound image creation. It is explanatory drawing explaining the specific example of the display screen which performs a function selection. It is a flowchart explaining the process at the time of making it selectable whether the direction of a sound image is fixed.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Navigation system 2 Navigation unit 3 Audio unit 4 Speaker control part 21 GPS
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 22 Path | route setting part 23 Vehicle speed acquisition part 24 Guide content creation part 24a 1st guide point information 24b 2nd guide point information 25 Guide voice control part 26 Guide display control part 31 Main control part 32 Audio output control part 33 Display 41 Main control part 42 codec 43 DSP
44 Amplifier 50 Driver 51, 52, 53 Sound image creation range 51a, 52a Movement start position 51b, 52b Direction change position 70 Display screen GV1-GV6 Sound image SP1-SP4 Speaker

Claims (12)

A navigation device that performs route guidance of the host vehicle based on preset route information and position information of the host vehicle,
The first guidance direction to be notified to the driver is acquired from the scheduled route information and the position information, and the guidance position corresponding to the first guidance direction and the first guidance direction should be notified next. Guidance information acquisition means for acquiring at least one of the second guidance directions;
Sound image creating means for creating a sound image for notifying the guidance content based on the information obtained by the guidance information obtaining means;
When the guide information acquisition unit acquires the first guide direction and the guide position corresponding to the first guide direction, the relative direction and the relative distance of the sound image to the driver are determined based on the acquired content. When the guidance information acquisition unit acquires the first guidance direction and the second guidance direction, the relative direction of the sound image with respect to the driver is determined as a single direction based on the acquired content. When the guidance information acquisition unit acquires the first guidance direction, the guidance position corresponding to the first guidance direction, and the second guidance direction, the driver of the sound image based on the obtained content Sound image control means for determining a relative distance and a single relative direction with respect to
A navigation device characterized by comprising:   2. The sound image control means according to claim 1, wherein the relative direction of the sound image coincides with the first guidance direction when the first guidance direction and the second guidance direction are different. Navigation device.   The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sound image control means moves the sound image in accordance with a behavior of the host vehicle estimated from the first guidance direction.   The navigation apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the sound image control means starts moving the sound image from a predetermined position in front of the driver.   The sound image control means moves the sound image in the first guiding direction after moving the sound image forward when the first guiding direction is rearward with respect to the traveling direction of the host vehicle. The navigation device according to claim 4.   The sound image control means changes at least one of a movement start position of the sound image, a direction change position of the sound image, and a movement amount of the sound image corresponding to the guidance position. The navigation device according to any one of 5.   The vehicle further comprises speed information acquisition means for acquiring speed information of the host vehicle, wherein the sound image control means corresponds to the speed information and includes at least a movement start position of the sound image, a direction change position of the sound image, and a movement amount of the sound image. The navigation apparatus according to claim 3, wherein one is changed.   The said 1st guidance direction and / or the said 2nd guidance direction have the information of a height direction, The said sound image control means further controls the height of the sound image with respect to the said driver | operator. The navigation device according to any one of 1 to 7.   It further comprises audio output control means for reducing the output level of the other audio output during the output of the sound image and recovering the output level of the other audio output in a stepwise manner after the output of the sound image is completed. The navigation apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-8.   The navigation apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the audio output control means reduces the output level of the other audio output in a stepwise manner before outputting the sound image.   The said audio | voice output control means controls independently the fall rate of the other audio | voice output before the output of the said sound image, and the recovery rate of the other audio | voice output after the output of the said sound image independently. The navigation device described.   12. The navigation device according to claim 11, wherein a reduction rate of the other audio output is larger than a recovery rate of the other audio output.

Images