JP2005250581A - Interface device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an interface device allowing a user to easily and instantly select contents to be processed. <P>SOLUTION: When a start key is operated, inference processing inferring a request from the user is carried out based on the previously set condition data and a user profile and condition data manually inputted via a condition setting key (S110-S150). Based on the inference result, a category list and a contents list are reconstructed so that the category and the contents are arranged in descending order of user requirement degree (S160-S170). The top three categories extracted from the reconstructed category list are associated with three selection keys respectively, and the name of the associated category or a label showing the category is displayed in a category name display part (S180). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an interface device used when a user selects content to be processed in various information devices typified by an in-vehicle information terminal, a PDA, a mobile phone, and a laptop computer.

  Conventionally, in information equipment, in order to select content to be processed (including various applications and information), a number of operation buttons are provided, and individual contents are assigned to each operation button and displayed. A menu is displayed on the screen, and using a jog dial or the like, it is possible to switch display contents and select content on the screen.

  However, in the former case where an operation button corresponding to each content is provided, for example, in a device installed in a limited space such as a portable device or a vehicle, the space for providing the operation button is limited. There was a problem that we could not cope.

  In the latter case, where the menu is displayed on the display screen, it is possible to select a large amount of content by making the displayed menu a hierarchical menu. However, it takes time and effort to reach the desired function or information (more There was a problem of requiring operation.

On the other hand, a display condition is set for each piece of information, and an apparatus that automatically narrows down the display contents by permitting only the information that the user's operation contents satisfy the display conditions (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ) And an apparatus (for example, see Patent Document 2) that can specify a target content with a small number of operations (utterances) without performing hierarchical selection operations by using voice recognition.
JP 2000-112604 A JP 2000-20090 A

  However, in the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, since the number of information displayed in the menu for each layer is narrowed down, the selection operation in each layer is facilitated, but there are many before reaching the target information. However, there is a problem that it is not suitable for an environment where safety is a top priority, such as in-vehicle devices.

  In other words, it is necessary to check the display screen many times before reaching the target information, and to perform necessary operations each time, which may reduce the attention to driving while performing the operations. Because there is.

  Further, since the device described in Patent Document 2 uses voice recognition, erroneous recognition of voice is unavoidable, and in some cases, the same operation (speech) must be repeated many times. there were.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an interface device that allows a user to easily and instantaneously select content to be processed.

  In order to achieve the above object, the interface device of the first invention is provided with one or more operated parts used for selecting contents to be processed. And a request estimation means acquires the situation data for grasping | ascertaining a user's condition, and estimates a user's request | requirement based on the acquired situation data.

  Then, according to the estimated user request, the group priority setting means sets a group priority which is a priority for each content group obtained by classifying a large number of contents in advance, and according to the set group priority. The assigning means associates the content group having a high group priority with the operated unit.

Thereafter, when the operated unit is operated, the processing target specifying unit selects one of the contents belonging to the content group associated with the operated operated unit as a processing target.
In other words, in the present invention, instead of fixedly associating specific content with the operated unit, by dynamically associating the content group according to the user's request estimated from the current situation with the operated unit, An interface adapted to the situation (and thus the user's request) is provided.

  Therefore, according to the interface device of the present invention, even if the number of operated parts is much smaller than the number of contents, the user only operates one of the operated parts. It is possible to easily and instantly select content belonging to a content group that meets the user's request at that time.

In other words, by using the interface device of the present invention, it is possible to provide a nifty interface that does not bother the user.
The contents here include various application programs for realizing various functions, various information such as an address book and Web search results, in addition to music and video contents. In addition, the content group may be grouped by focusing on a large classification such as music, video, news, etc., or subdivided among these large classifications, for example, music and video genres ( (Classic, Jazz, Pops, etc.)

  By the way, the group recommendation order setting means is configured to set the recommendation order of the content group and set the recommendation order of the group system for each group system obtained by classifying the content group in advance. In accordance with the group system recommendation order set by the group recommendation order setting means, a group system having a higher group system recommendation order is selected, and the content group having the highest group recommendation order is selected from among the selected group systems. You may comprise so that it may match with an operation part. As the group system, for example, a large classification such as the above-described music, video, news, or the like may be used.

In this case, it is possible to prevent similar content groups belonging to the same group system from being associated with a plurality of operated units, and the range that can be selected by the user can be widened.
Further, in this case, it is desirable to include group switching means for switching the content group associated with the operated unit according to the group system recommended order set by the group recommended order setting means. In other words, the group switching unit can easily switch the content group assigned to the operated part by the assigning unit to another content group in the same group system, thereby improving the flexibility in content selection. Can do.

  Note that the group switching means switches the content group in accordance with, for example, a special operation designated in advance to the operated unit or an operation applied to the auxiliary operated unit attached to the operated unit. It is conceivable to configure.

  In the present invention, at least a part of the operated part may be fixedly associated with a group system designated in advance. In this case, the allocating unit may always associate only the content group belonging to the group system with respect to the operated unit to which the specific group system is fixedly associated.

Furthermore, in the present invention, at least a part of the operated part may be fixedly associated with a content group designated in advance.
That is, if a group system or content group whose recommendation order is always high is associated with the operated unit in a fixed manner in advance, the process of setting the group recommendation order or the group system recommendation order can be reduced. Note that, if all the operated units are fixedly assigned to the content group, no assigning unit is necessary, and this may be omitted.

  By the way, the processing target selection means may be configured to randomly select content belonging to the content group corresponding to the operated part to be processed as the processing target, but the content is more in line with the user's request. Is preferably configured as follows.

  That is, the content recommendation rank setting means sets the recommendation rank of each content included in the content group for each content group according to the request estimated by the request estimation means, and the processing target according to the set content recommendation rank The selection means may be configured to select the content with the highest content recommendation order as the processing target.

  In this case, it is desirable to further include content switching means for switching the content selected by the processing target selection means in accordance with the content recommendation order set by the content recommendation order setting means. In other words, the content switching unit can easily switch the content selected by the processing target selection unit to another content in the same content group, thereby improving the flexibility in selecting the content.

  Note that the content switching unit may be configured to switch content each time the same operated unit is operated, for example. In this case, specifically, each time the same operated unit is operated, the content having the next highest recommended content order after the currently selected content may be sequentially selected as the processing target. .

  Next, similarly to the first invention, the interface device of the second invention includes one or more operated parts used for selecting content to be processed. And a request estimation means acquires the situation data for grasping | ascertaining a user's condition, and estimates a user's request | requirement based on the acquired situation data.

  Then, according to the estimated request, the content recommendation rank setting unit sets the recommendation rank of each content, and according to the set content recommendation rank, the allocation unit associates the content with the high content recommendation rank with the operated unit.

Thereafter, when the operated unit is operated, the processing target selecting unit selects the content associated with the operated operated unit as the processing target.
That is, in the present invention, specific content is not fixedly associated with the operated unit, but the content itself according to the user's request estimated from the situation is stored in the operated unit according to the user's situation. It is made to correspond dynamically.

Therefore, according to the interface device of the second invention, the same effect as that of the first invention can be obtained.
By the way, the interface device of the present invention (first and second inventions) includes an input means for the user to input situation data, and the request estimation means acquires at least the situation data input from the input means. It may be configured.

  In other words, by configuring the situation data so that the user can input it each time, it becomes possible to more accurately infer the user's request, and thus provide an interface that more accurately captures the user's request. Can do.

  By the way, in order to be able to recognize the contents (content group and content) assigned to the operated part, the operated part is preferably provided with an assigned content display means for displaying the contents assigned by the assigning means.

  In particular, when a content group is assigned to the operated part, even if there is an assignment content display means, the content selected as the processing target cannot be confirmed. Therefore, it is desirable to further include a processing target display unit for displaying the content selected as the processing target by the processing target selection unit.

  By the way, the operated part may be realized by a push button switch or the like, but may be realized as an electronic object on the display. In this case, according to the request estimated by the request estimation means, the display form setting means may be configured to set the display form of the electronic object (the display contents of the operated part or the assigned content display means).

  The display form includes size, position, shape, font, color, movement, etc. For example, the higher the request level, the more attention is given or the atmosphere is displayed according to the user's mood. Can be considered.

  In addition, the number of operated parts is preferably a number that can be identified at a glance by the user, and specifically about three.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
First, FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the interface device 1 of the embodiment. The interface device 1 according to this embodiment is mounted on an automobile (vehicle), and a vehicle occupant (mainly a driver) performs various controls (for example, video display) using various devices mounted on the vehicle. , Music playback, Web search, server connection, voice recognition, etc.) can be provided by a simple interface. Hereinafter, these provision contents are collectively referred to as contents.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the interface apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an input key provided with selection keys 41 to 43 used for selecting content, and an operation key group 44 for inputting various commands and data by an external operation. The apparatus 3, the genre name display parts 51 to 53 for displaying the genre names of the contents associated with the selection keys 41 to 43, and the provided content name display part 54 for displaying the content name being provided. It is connected to a display device 5 provided, a display 7 for displaying an image, and a microphone 8 for inputting sound.

  The operation key group 44 includes at least a start key used for processing to be described later and a status setting key used for inputting status data (for example, season, weather, destination, destination, information, user status, etc.). include.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the selection keys 41 to 43 are formed of push button switches formed integrally with the genre name display portions 51 to 53, respectively, and are arranged side by side at the lower part of the display 7, so A shape, color, and size that are easy for the driver to recognize and operate are used. Although not shown, an operation key group 44 and a provided content name display unit 54 are arranged in the vicinity of the selection keys 41 to 43.

  The interface device 1 includes a well-known navigation device 11 for detecting the current position (current location) of the vehicle and route guidance, an air conditioner device 13 for controlling air conditioning in the vehicle, a cassette tape recorder, and a CD (compact disc) player. , MD (mini-disc) player, radio, and television, etc., and the wireless terminal between the well-known VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System) broadcasting terminal and the Internet broadcasting terminal as a connection window to the Internet. , A communication device 17 for performing data communication, various sensors 19 for detecting the vehicle operating state such as the vehicle speed and acceleration / deceleration state, the temperature inside and outside the vehicle, and the presence or absence of raindrops, the door lock of the vehicle, the window glass (power Window), engine, and other control devices for controlling brake devices ( It is connected to indicate shown) and.

  The navigation device 11 is a known GPS device for detecting the current position of the vehicle, a CD-ROM storing route guidance data such as map data, place name data, and facility name data, and data from the CD-ROM. A CD-ROM drive for reading out and an operation key for a user to input a command. The navigation device 11 is optimal for reaching the current position of the vehicle and the destination when, for example, an instruction for instructing the route to the destination and the destination is input via the operation key from the user. A road map including a simple route is displayed on the display 7 to provide route guidance.

  The display 7 not only displays a road map for route guidance by the navigation device 11, but also displays various images such as an information search menu, and the audio device 15 is set to the TV mode. Then, the received image of the television received by the television tuner provided in the audio device 15 is displayed.

  The interface device 1 includes a system control unit 21 mainly composed of a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and an input interface (I) for inputting commands and data from the input device 3 to the system control unit 21. / F) unit 23, display control unit 25 that controls the display of each unit 51 to 54 constituting the display device 5, screen control unit 27 that controls the display screen of the display 7, and audio signal from the microphone 8. A voice input unit 28 that converts the data into digital data and inputs the digital data to the system control unit 21, the display 7, the navigation device 11, the air conditioner device 13, the audio device 15, the communication device 17, various sensors 19, and other control devices. A device control interface (device control I) that connects the system control unit 21 so that data communication is possible. And a F) 29.

  In addition, the interface device 1 is provided with an Internet address database 31 for storing an Internet address (Internet address) and a search control unit 33 in order to search and acquire desired information from the Internet by the communication device 17. Yes. Then, when the system control unit 21 outputs a search keyword representing the search content to the search control unit 33, the search control unit 33 operates the communication device 17 via the device control I / F 29 to perform the search from the Internet broadcast terminal. Information corresponding to the keyword is searched, and the search result is input to the system control unit 21. The Internet address database 31 stores Internet addresses used in the past by the search control unit 33 according to commands from the system control unit 21, and the search control unit 33 searches the system control unit 21 in the past. When the same search keyword as the keyword is received, the Internet address in the Internet address database 31 is reused.

  Further, the interface device 1 classifies a list of various contents that can be provided via the device by genre (for example, content classification such as video, music, Internet, command, user utterance vocabulary, etc.). A content list storage unit 35 for storing a content list and a genre list showing a list of genres, and status data (for example, season, weather, purpose, destination, information, user, etc.) A situation data storage unit 37 for storing a situation and the like, and a user profile storage unit 39 for storing personal information of a plurality of users (hereinafter also referred to as user profiles).

  The situation data may be anything other than those exemplified as long as it affects user requests and actions. In addition, “information” listed as an example of situation data is information that is an important concern for many people. For example, “Typhoon is approaching” and “World Cup is held” And so on. Further, the user situation indicates the user's behavior, physical condition, mood, etc. at that time.

  In addition, the user profile stores individual user preferences and content selection history in association with various situations such as temporal situations (time zones, seasons, anniversaries, etc.), geographical situations, and mood situations. Is.

  The content list storage unit 35, the status data storage unit 37, the user profile storage unit 39, and the Internet address database 31 described above are composed of a nonvolatile memory capable of reading and writing data.

  Next, in the interface device 1 configured as described above, an outline of processing executed by the system control unit 21 will be described with reference to a functional block diagram shown in FIG. 2 and flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  The CPU constituting the system control unit 21 includes a selection key setting process for associating the selection keys 41 to 43 with the content genre, a content providing process for providing content according to the operation of the selection keys 41 to 43, the communication device 17 and various sensors. The status data update process for updating the status data is executed based on the information collected via 19.

  Further, in the ROM constituting the system control unit 21, in addition to programs for executing the selection key setting process, the content providing process, and the status data updating process, processes necessary for providing contents and control of the device group 10 are performed. Various application programs (for example, a video display application, a music reproduction application, a Web search application, a server connection application, a voice recognition application, etc.) are stored.

First, the selection key setting process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
When this process is activated, it is determined whether or not a start key, which is one of the operation key groups 44, has been operated (S110). If the start key has not been operated, the process waits by repeatedly executing the same step. On the other hand, if the start key is operated, the situation data is read from the situation data storage unit 37 and the user profile is read from the user profile storage unit 39 (S130).

  Then, it is determined whether or not the situation data is manually input via the situation setting key constituting the operation key group 44 (S130). If there is no situation data manual input, the situation data and the user profile read in S120 are read. Based on the above, an inference process for estimating the user's request is executed (S140). On the other hand, if there is a manual input of the situation data, an inference process for estimating the user's request is performed by adding the situation data manually input to the situation data and the user profile read in S120 (S150). . For details of the inference processing, refer to, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2003-256466 and 2002-92029.

  Then, based on the inference result in S140 or S150, each genre in the genre list stored in the content list storage unit 35 is evaluated, and the order in which the user's request is estimated to be high (hereinafter referred to as “genre recommended rank”). The genre list is reconfigured so that the genres are lined up (S160).

  Subsequently, similarly, for each genre, each content in the content list of the genre is evaluated based on the inference result, and the user's request is estimated to be high (hereinafter referred to as “content recommendation order”). The content list is reconfigured so that the contents are arranged (S170). The content list may be reconfigured for all genres, but may be performed only for genres with higher genre recommendation ranks.

  Then, the top three genres extracted from the genre list reconstructed in S160 are associated with the selection keys 41 to 43, respectively, and the names of the associated genres or labels indicating the genres are displayed on the genre name display unit 51. To 53 (S180), and the process returns to S110.

  In S180, when performing display on the genre name display sections 51 to 53, display adaptation (for example, according to the environment specified from the situation data and the user's preference specified from the user profile (for example, Display size, used font background image, and the like).

  That is, when the start key is operated, setting of a genre recommendation order and setting of a content recommendation order for each genre are performed based on a user request estimated from the current situation (situation data) and user preferences (user profile). In addition, the top three genres extracted according to the genre recommendation order are associated with the selection keys 41 to 43.

Next, the content providing process will be described along the flowchart shown in FIG.
When this process is activated, it is first determined whether or not the selection keys 41 to 43 have been operated (S210). If the selection keys 41 to 43 have not been operated, the process waits by repeatedly executing the same steps. On the other hand, if the selection keys 41 to 43 are operated, the content is selected from the content list of the genre associated with the operated selection key, and the application program necessary for providing the selected content is executed. (S220).

  Then, the content selected in S220, that is, the name of the provided content or the label indicating the provided content is displayed on the provided content name display unit 54 (S230), and the process returns to S210.

  In the content selection in S220, if the operation is first applied to the selection key after the above-described selection key setting process is executed, the content with the highest recommended content ranking at the top of the corresponding content list is displayed. After that, each time the same selection key is operated, the content with the next highest recommended order is selected.

  When executing the application in S220, application adaptation (for example, image size, frame rate, modality, etc.) is performed in accordance with the environment specified from the situation data and the user's preference specified from the user profile. (Presentation form conversion, resolution, volume, memory resource, etc.) may be applied.

  That is, when the selection keys 41 to 43 are operated, the content with the highest recommended content ranking among the genres associated with the operated selection key is provided, and each time the same selection key is operated, the same genre is displayed. The provided content is switched according to the content recommendation order.

Here, a specific example of the operation by the selection key setting process will be described.
However, the selection keys 41 to 43 are hereinafter referred to as buttons 1 to 3.
(1) Case A (see Fig. 5)
Assume that you are on the way to an airport on an overseas business trip and are approaching a typhoon.

  Profile of situation data in this situation (situation description A1), setting of buttons 1 to 3 (button assignment) as a result of operating the start key in this situation, and a reconfigured content list (here "news") The contents of (genre) are shown below.

<Situation description A1>
Season: Summer Weather: Rain Purpose: Overseas business trip Destination: Nagoya Airport Information: Typhoon approaching User status: Driving <Button assignment>
(Button 1, button 2, button 3) = (news, weather, road information)
<Content list (news)>
1. Wind news Current events ……
K. Politics

......
N. Entertainment Assume a situation where time has elapsed from the above situation and arrived at the airport.

  The profile of the situation data in this situation (situation description A2) and the settings of the buttons 1 to 3 (button assignment) as a result of operating the start key in this situation are shown below. In other words, the button assignment is also updated to the contents according to the user situation in accordance with the change of the user situation.

<Situation description A2>
Season: Summer Weather: Rain Purpose: Overseas business trip Destination: Sydney Information: Typhoon approaching User situation: Arrival at airport <button assignment>
(Button 1, button 2, button 3) = (exchange, weather, facility information)
(2) Case B (see Fig. 6)
Assume that you are traveling to a hotel in Yokohama on a high speed during the May holidays.

  Profile of situation data in this situation (situation description B1), setting of buttons 1 to 3 (button assignment) as a result of operating the start key in this situation, and a reconfigured content list (here "news") The contents of (genre) are shown below.

<Situation description B1>
Season: Spring (May consecutive holidays)
Weather: Clear weather Purpose: Travel Destination: Hotel in Yokohama Information: World Cup in progress User situation: High-speed driving <Button assignment>
(Button 1, button 2, button 3) = (sports, jazz, road information)
<Content list (news)>
1. World Cup news ......
K. Baseball news ......
N. Golf News Assume a situation where time has elapsed from the above situation and arrived at the airport.

  The profile of the situation data in this situation (situation description B2) and the settings (button assignment) of the buttons 1 to 3 as a result of operating the start key in this situation are shown below. That is, as in the case 1, the button assignment is also updated to the content corresponding to the user situation in accordance with the change of the user situation.

<Situation description B2>
Season: Spring (May consecutive holidays)
Weather: Fine weather Purpose: Travel Destination: Hotel in Yokohama Information: Event at the stadium User situation: Driving in the city of Yokohama with family <button assignment>
(Button 1, button 2, button 3) = (road information, local map, tourist information)
As described above, in the interface device 1 of the present embodiment, specific content is not associated with the selection keys 41 to 43 in a fixed manner, but according to the situation of the user (situation data, user profile). The genre according to the estimated user request is dynamically associated.

  For this reason, according to the interface device 1 of the present embodiment, the genre meets the user's request at that time even though the selection keys 41 to 43 are far fewer than the number of contents. The contents belonging to can be easily and instantly selected by simply pressing a single selection key.

In other words, by using the interface device 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a nifty interface that is not bothered by operations.
In this embodiment, the selection keys 41 to 43 are the operated unit, the genre is the content group, the genre name display units 51 to 53 are the allocation content display unit, the provided content name display unit 54 is the processing target display unit, and S140 to S150. Is a request estimation unit, S160 is a group recommendation rank setting unit, S170 is a content recommendation rank setting unit, S180 is an allocation unit, and S220 is a processing target selection unit and a content switching unit.
[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described.

In the present embodiment, only the configuration of the genre list and a part of the processing executed by the system control unit 21 are different, and therefore, the difference will be mainly described.
First, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the content list storage unit 35 includes a genre system list showing a list of some preset genre systems (for example, video system, music system, request system, etc.). A genre list created for each genre system and a content list created for each genre list are stored.

  In addition, the music genre list includes, for example, “classic”, “jazz”, “rock”, “latin”, etc., in addition to the usual music genres, such as “quiet”, “like spring”, “suitable for summer”, etc. Various genres are also included. The request-type genre list includes, for example, “Web search”, “server connection”, “real-time communication video”, “map display”, “operation command”, and the like.

Next, in the selection key setting process, the processes in S160 and S180 are different from those in the first embodiment.
That is, in this embodiment, in S160, based on the inference result in S140 or S150, each genre system of the genre system list stored in the content list storage unit 35 is evaluated, and the order in which the user's request level is estimated to be high is estimated. The genre system list is reconfigured so that the genre systems are lined up (hereinafter referred to as “system recommended order”), and each genre of the genre list stored in the content list storage unit 35 is evaluated. The genre list is reconfigured so that the genres are arranged in the order in which they are estimated to be higher (hereinafter referred to as “genre recommended order”). The genre list may be reconfigured for all genre systems, but may be performed only for genre systems with higher system recommendation ranks.

  In S180, the top three genre systems are selected from the genre system list reconstructed in S160, and the genre having the highest genre recommendation rank among the selected genre systems is selected by the selection keys 41-43. Are displayed on the genre name display sections 51 to 53, and the name of the genre or the label indicating the genre is displayed.

  In other words, when the user operates the start key, based on the user's request estimated from the current situation (situation data) and the user's preference (user profile), the system recommended order is set, and the genre recommended order for each genre system And the recommended content order for each genre are set, and the genre having the highest recommended rank among the top three genre lines extracted according to the recommended line order is associated with the selection keys 41 to 43, respectively. Become.

Next, the content provision process in this embodiment is demonstrated along the flowchart shown in FIG.
It is determined whether or not the selection keys 41 to 43 are operated by the normal operation (S310). If the selection keys 41 to 43 are operated by the normal operation, the same processing as S220 to S230 described in the first embodiment (S320 to S320). S330) is executed, and the process returns to S310.

  On the other hand, if it is not operated by the normal operation, it is determined whether or not the selection keys 41 to 43 are operated by the special operation (S340). Return.

  If the selection keys 41 to 43 are operated by a special operation, based on the genre list of the genre system to which the genre associated with the operated selection key belongs, the genre next to the currently associated genre. A genre having a high recommendation order is associated with the operated selection key, and the name of the associated genre or a label indicating the genre is displayed on the genre name display unit (S350), and the process returns to S310.

  The normal operation is an operation in which the selection keys 41 to 43 are simply pressed, and the special operation is a so-called long operation in which the selection keys 41 to 43 are continuously pressed for a predetermined time or more. It is a push operation. However, the special operation is not limited to a long press, and any operation can be used as long as it can be easily and reliably discriminated from the normal operation, such as a double click.

  In other words, content is provided when the selection keys 41 to 43 are operated by normal operation, and each time the same selection key is operated, the provided content is sequentially switched within the same genre, and the selection keys 41 to 43 are specially selected. When operated by operation, the genre associated with the operated selection key is sequentially switched within the same genre system.

  According to the interface device 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above, not only the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, but also by manual operation (operating the selection keys 41 to 43 by special operation). Since genres can be switched, a more flexible interface can be provided.

In this embodiment, S250 corresponds to the group switching means, and the genre system corresponds to the group system.
In this embodiment, the genre can be switched by operating the selection key by a special operation. For example, as shown in FIG. 9A, when the vicinity of the center is pressed as the selection key. The operation for the upper end or the lower end is specially made using a configuration in which the operation can be identified when the upper end (“+” side) is pressed and when the lower end (“−” side) is pressed. It may be regarded as an operation.

In this case, the genre can be switched not only in one direction along the descending order of the genre recommendation rank but also in the ascending order.
9B, an auxiliary key H may be provided in the vicinity of the selection key K, and the genre may be switched using the auxiliary key H. Further, as a selection key, a key having a structure like a jog dial or a volume knob may be used instead of the push button switch.

Further, the genre may be switched using voice recognition or the like without depending on the operation of the selection key.
[Other Embodiments]
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It is possible to implement in various aspects.

  For example, in the above embodiment, inference processing is executed based on the situation data and the user profile, and the genre system list, the genre list, and the content list are reconfigured from the inference result, and as a result, the genre associated with the selection keys 41 to 43 is selected. Although it is configured to select, a genre may be selected using a table lookup technique instead of performing the inference process.

That is, M situations that the user encounters are set in advance, and each situation is represented by Sm (m = 1 to M).
Then, logic is set up so that the result of the judgment of the situation condition based on the situation data or the user profile becomes one of the M situations. Then, the best three genres corresponding to each situation Sm may be tabulated as shown below, for example.

S0: Not specified → (Button 1, Button 2, Button 3) = (News, music, map display)
S1: Morning commutation → (Button 1, Button 2, Button 3) = (News, Traffic Information, Weather)
S2: Holiday shopping → (Button 1, Button 2, Button 3) = (facility information, events, weather)
S3: Autumn excursion → (Button 1, Button 2, Button 3) = (Map information, traffic information, local information)
By using such a table lookup technique, the genre selection can be realized by a simple process.

  However, to reflect individual differences, it is necessary to customize the table, and if the number of situations M is large, the table size becomes enormous and logical design of situation judgment becomes difficult. It is preferable to apply to a small-scale system with relatively few variations.

  Further, in the above embodiment, when the operation of the selection keys 41 to 43 is detected in S210, the processing of S220 to S230, that is, the processing for providing the content of the genre associated with the operated selection key. However, when there is a voice input for specifying the selection keys 41 to 43 or a voice input for specifying the genre associated with the selection keys 41 to 43 via the microphone 8, You may comprise so that the process of S220-S230 may be performed.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although a genre is matched with the selection keys 41-43, you may make it match | combine a content. In this case, only a single content list is stored in the content list storage unit 35. In the selection key setting process (see FIG. 3), S160 is omitted, and in S180, the content recommendation order set in S170. Accordingly, the top three contents may be assigned to the selection keys 41 to 43.

  In the above embodiment, genres and genre systems are dynamically assigned to all of the selection keys 41 to 43, but some selection keys are fixedly assigned to specific genres and genre systems. Also good.

  In the above embodiment, the dedicated provided content name display unit 54 is provided to indicate the content being provided. However, the content may be displayed on the display 7 by omitting this.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the selection keys 41-43 are implement | achieved by the pushbutton switch, you may implement | achieve these selection keys 41-43 and the genre name display parts 51-53 as an electronic object on a display. .

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 10 (a), in order to change the display form (size, position, font, color, etc.) of the electronic object according to the situation and the user, An electronic object may be moved within the screen.

  In the above, the provision of various contents has been described as an example. However, the vocabulary of user utterance candidates that are subject to speech recognition is displayed, the operation commands that are considered necessary at present, and the comments that the user wants to make are estimated. Display (see FIG. 10B) is also an application target of this apparatus.

  In this case, a very small vocabulary required for device operation in that situation can be dynamically selected according to the situation, so that voice control with less misrecognition is possible by using it together with voice recognition. be able to.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the interface apparatus of embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of an interface apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the selection key setting process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of a content provision process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the execution example of a selection key setting process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the execution example of a selection key setting process. In 2nd Embodiment, it is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of each list memorize | stored in the content list memory | storage part. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the content provision process in 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of a selection key. It is explanatory drawing which shows the content of other embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Interface device, 3 ... Input device, 5 ... Display device, 7 ... Display, 8 ... Microphone, 10 ... Device group, 11 ... Navigation device, 13 ... Air-conditioner device, 15 ... Audio device, 17 ... Communication device, 21 ... System control unit, 23 ... input interface (I / F) unit, 25 ... display control unit, 27 ... screen control unit, 28 ... voice input unit, 29 ... device control I / F, 31 ... Internet address database, 33 ... search Control unit 35 ... Content list storage unit 37 ... Status data storage unit 39 ... User profile storage unit 41-43 ... Select key 44 ... Operation key group 51-53 ... Genre name display unit 54 ... Provided content Name display part.

Claims (16)

An interface device including one or more operated parts used for selecting content to be processed,
Request estimation means for acquiring situation data for grasping a user's situation and estimating a user's request based on the situation data;
Group recommendation rank setting means for setting a recommendation rank of a content group obtained by previously classifying a large number of contents according to the request estimated by the request estimation means;
Assigning means for associating a content group having a higher group recommendation order with the operated unit according to the group recommendation order set by the group recommendation order setting means;
When the operated unit is operated, processing target selection means for selecting one of the contents belonging to the content group associated with the operated unit as a processing target;
An interface device comprising: The group recommendation rank setting means sets the recommendation rank of the content group for each group system formed by classifying the content groups in advance, and sets the recommended rank of the group system,
The assigning means selects a group system having a higher group system recommended order according to the group system recommended order set by the group recommended order setting unit, and the group recommendation order is selected from among the selected group systems. The interface apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the highest content group is associated with the operated unit.   The interface apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising group switching means for switching a content group associated with the operated unit in accordance with a group system recommended order set by the group recommended order setting means.   The group switching means switches content groups according to a special operation specified in advance to the operated unit or an operation applied to an auxiliary operated unit attached to the operated unit. The interface device according to claim 3.   The interface apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at least a part of the operated unit is fixedly associated with a group system designated in advance.   6. The interface apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the operated part is fixedly associated with a content group designated in advance. In accordance with the request estimated by the request estimation means, the content recommendation order setting means for setting the recommendation order of each content included in the content group for each content group,
The interface according to claim 1, wherein the processing target selection unit selects, as a processing target, content having the highest content recommendation order set by the content recommendation order setting unit. apparatus.   The interface apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising: a content switching unit that switches the content selected by the processing target selection unit according to the content recommendation sequence set by the content recommendation sequence setting unit.   9. The interface apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the content switching unit switches the content each time the same operated unit is operated. An interface device including one or more operated parts used for selecting content to be processed,
Request estimation means for acquiring situation data for grasping a user's situation and estimating a user's request based on the situation data;
Content recommendation order setting means for setting a recommended order of content according to the request estimated by the request estimation means;
Assigning means for associating content with a high content recommendation order with the operated unit according to the content recommendation order set by the content recommendation order setting means;
When the operated unit is operated, a processing target selection unit that selects, as a processing target, content associated with the operated unit by the assigning unit;
An interface device comprising: An input means for a user to input the situation data;
The interface apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the request estimation unit acquires at least status data input from the input unit.   The interface device according to claim 1, wherein the operated unit includes an allocation content display unit that displays the content allocated by the allocation unit.   The interface apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a processing target display unit that displays content selected as a processing target by the processing target selection unit.   The interface device according to claim 1, wherein the operated unit is realized as an electronic object on a display.   15. The interface apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising display form setting means for setting a display form of the electronic object in accordance with the request estimated by the request estimation means.   The interface device according to claim 1, comprising three of the operated parts.