JP2006105876A - Navigation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize effective route guidance. <P>SOLUTION: The navigation system 1 is equipped with a navigation unit 2, generating the "audio image direction specifying signal" for performing normal control of audio output in the predefined interval toward a guiding direction, on the basis of diacritical information of a predefined interval (e.g., a keyword, indicating the guiding direction or an interval of evocative sound and the like contained in the audio guidance) and an audio processing section 4 for outputting the audio guidance, by adjusting the intensity of the output with loudspeakers SP1 to SP4, on the basis of the "audio image direction specifying signal". <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation apparatus that performs route guidance by outputting voice guidance that prompts a vehicle operation in a guidance direction based on preset scheduled route information and position information of the host vehicle.

  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 specified based on the planned route, map information, and current position, and the vehicle is driven according to the route set by notifying the driver in advance.

  At this time, both the screen display and the voice output are used together for the notification to the driver. However, since it is not preferable to watch the display while driving the vehicle, 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, the prior art in the above is merely a directional control (that is, a voice output control that gives a directional feeling in the guidance direction) with the entire voice guidance as a control target, and thus the user (driver) ) Cannot always transmit the guidance direction, and there is a problem in that there is a limit to effective voice guidance.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems (problems) of the prior art, and realizes direction sense control in which the guidance direction is emphasized, thereby performing effective voice guidance. An object of the present invention is to provide a navigation device that can be used.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the navigation device according to the first aspect of the present invention performs vehicle operation in the guidance direction based on preset planned route information and position information of the host vehicle. A navigation device for guiding a route by outputting a prompting voice guidance, characterized by comprising voice output control means for controlling localization of a voice output of a predetermined section in the voice guidance in the guidance direction.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the navigation device according to the first aspect, the voice output control means controls the localization of the voice output of the keyword representing the guidance direction in the guidance direction.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the navigation device according to the first or second aspect of the invention, the voice output control means controls the localization of the voice output of the audible sound included in the voice guidance in the guidance direction. Features.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the navigation device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the voice output control means makes the audible sound included in the voice guidance longer and longer than the normal audible sound. The sound output of the screaming sound is controlled to be localized in the direction of guidance.

  The navigation device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the navigation device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the audio output control means compares the audio output level of the predetermined section with the audio output level of another section. In addition, the sound output of the section is controlled to be localized in the guidance direction.

  According to the present invention, since the voice output in a predetermined section of the voice guidance is controlled to be localized in the guidance direction, it is possible to realize direction sense control in which the guidance direction is emphasized and perform effective voice guidance. It is possible to obtain a navigation device that can be used.

  In addition, according to the present invention, since the voice output of the keyword representing the guidance direction is controlled to be localized in the guidance direction, the keyword representing the guidance direction and the sense of direction matching the meaning of the keyword are displayed by the user (driving The navigation device can be obtained, and a more effective route guidance can be obtained.

  In addition, according to the present invention, since the sound output of the audible sound included in the voice guidance is controlled in the guidance direction, the navigation voice (voice guidance) is urged and the guidance direction is changed by the audible sound. There is an effect that it is possible to obtain a navigation device that can be transmitted with emphasis and can effectively increase the amount of information transmitted by voice output.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the audible sound included in the voice guidance is made longer than the normal evoked sound, and the sound output of the lengthened audible sound is subjected to localization control in the guidance direction. There is an effect that it is possible to obtain a navigation device capable of effectively increasing the amount of information transmitted by voice output while preventing the driver from hearing the audible sound.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the voice output level of the predetermined section is increased compared to the voice output level of the other sections, and the sound output of the section is controlled to be localized in the guidance direction. It is possible to realize a more emphasized direction control and to obtain a navigation device capable of performing more effective voice guidance.

  Exemplary embodiments of a navigation device according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following, after describing the outline and features of the navigation system according to the present invention, the navigation system according to the first embodiment will be described. Finally, various modified examples (second embodiment) will be described as other embodiments. I will explain.

(Overview and features)
First, the outline and features of the navigation device according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the navigation system 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the navigation system 1 performs route guidance by outputting voice guidance for prompting a vehicle operation in the guidance direction based on preset scheduled route information and position information of the host vehicle. It is.

  Here, the navigation system 1 according to the present invention has a main feature in “voice output control processing” that controls localization of voice output in a predetermined section in the voice guidance in the guidance direction. Direction sense control with emphasized direction is realized, so that effective voice guidance can be performed.

  This main feature will be described in detail. In the navigation system 1, the voice output of a predetermined section (for example, a keyword indicating a guidance direction or a section of an audible sound included in the voice guidance) in the voice guidance is set in the guidance direction. Control localization. For example, in the example of the voice guidance 100 “Following the right direction” shown in FIG. 2, only the voice output of the keyword “right direction” indicating the guidance direction is controlled in the guidance direction (that is, the right direction). In the example of the voice guidance 110 “Pawn. From now on in the right direction” shown in FIG. 3, only the arousing sound “Pawn” included in the voice guidance is controlled in the guidance direction (that is, in the right direction).

  Thus, the guidance direction is emphasized by controlling localization of the voice output of a predetermined section (for example, a keyword indicating the guidance direction or an audible sound included in the voice guidance) in the guidance direction. Direction control can be realized.

  Therefore, according to the navigation system 1 according to the present invention, since the voice output of the predetermined section of the voice guidance is controlled to be localized in the guidance direction, it is possible to realize the direction control with the guidance direction emphasized, Eliminates the bottleneck in performing direction control with navigation voice that limits the ability to transmit the guidance direction due to uniform direction control that controls the entire voice guidance, As described above, the effective voice guidance can be performed.

  Next, the navigation system according to the first embodiment will be described. Here, after describing the configuration of the navigation system according to the first embodiment, procedures of various processes of the navigation system will be described.

(Configuration of navigation system)
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the navigation system 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the navigation system 1 includes a navigation unit 2, an audio unit 3, a sound processing unit 4, and speakers SP1 to SP4.

  Among these, the navigation unit 2 includes a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiving unit 21, a route setting unit 22, a guide content creation unit 23, a guide voice output control unit 24, and a guide display control unit 25. Here, the GPS receiving unit 21, the route setting unit 22, the guide content creation unit 23, the guide voice output control unit 24, and the guide display control unit 25 may be configured by a microcomputer or the like, or may be configured by an electronic circuit. good. Further, this configuration is classified according to each function, and the physical configuration may be integrated or distributed 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 23.

  The route setting unit 22 is a processing unit that receives a user input from a user (for example, a driver) 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 23.

  The guide content creation unit 23 is a processing unit that creates content to be notified to the driver of the host vehicle based on outputs from the GPS reception unit 21 and the route setting unit 22. Specifically, as information on a place where voice guidance to the driver should be performed (that is, guide point information), distance information from the current position of the own vehicle to the place (guide point) and the own vehicle take at the place. The direction information indicating the power direction is stored.

  Here, the guide point refers to a place where it is determined that voice guidance should be output to the driver based on the planned route, current position and map information of the own vehicle. When turning right at an intersection 300m ahead, the guide point is an intersection 300m away. Note that this determination method, that is, the determination method of “where voice guidance should be output” is the same as that of the prior art, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

  Then, the guide content creation unit 23 determines the route guidance content based on the created guide point information. Further, contents of the route guidance that are output by voice (voice guidance) are output to the guide voice output control unit 24, and contents that are displayed on the display 33 are output to the guide display control unit 25.

  At this time, the voice guidance is generated based on the distance information from the current position of the host vehicle to the guide point and the direction information indicating the direction that the host vehicle should take at the guide point. In order to realize the sensed direction control, voice section information of a predetermined section (for example, a keyword indicating a guidance direction or a section of a rousing sound included in the voice guidance) in the voice guidance together with the voice data of the voice guidance. Is also output to the guide voice output control unit 24.

  Here, in the present invention, the direction sense control for emphasizing the guidance direction by adding the sense of direction to the guidance direction only to the keyword representing the guidance direction, and the direction sense to the guidance direction in the audible sound included in the voice guidance. In addition to prompting the navigation voice (that is, voice guidance) by adding it, it is possible to carry out direction sense control that emphasizes and transmits the guidance direction with such arousing sound individually or in combination. In the first embodiment, examples in which these directional controls are performed individually will be described in parallel.

For example, in the case of performing direction sense control that adds a sense of direction to the guidance direction only to the keyword representing the guidance direction, the keyword representing the guidance direction in the voice guidance 100 “Following the right direction” shown in FIG. The “rightward” voice segment information (that is, voice segment information from time T ₁ to time T ₂ ) is output to the guide voice output control unit 24.

In addition, in the case of performing direction control that adds a sense of direction in the guidance direction to the audible sound included in the voice guidance, the voice of the voice guidance 120 “Polopolone. The voice section information (that is, the voice section information from time T ₀ to time T ₁ ) of the arousing sound “Polo Polo loan” included in the guidance is output to the guide voice output control unit 24. Note that here, the sound is changed to a long sounding sound (for example, the sounding sound “Polopolone” of the voice guidance 120) compared to the existing sounding sound (for example, the sounding sound “Pawn” of the voice guidance 110), The purpose of changing the sounding sound will be described in the guide voice output control unit 24.

  The guide voice output control unit 24 is a processing unit that determines a direction from which voice guidance is output to the driver based on the output of the guide content creation unit 23 and transmits the voice guidance to the sound processing unit 4. Specifically, based on the voice section information of a predetermined section (for example, a keyword indicating a guidance direction or a section such as a rousing sound included in the voice guidance) input by the guide content creation unit 23, the voice of the predetermined section is recorded. A “sound image direction designation signal” for controlling the localization of the output in the guidance direction is generated, and the generated “sound image direction designation signal” is transmitted to the sound processing unit 4.

For example, in the case of performing direction sense control that adds a sense of direction to the guidance direction only to the keyword that represents the guidance direction, as shown in FIG. The voice output level of the voice segment (that is, the voice segment from time T ₁ to time T ₂ ) that represents the keyword “rightward” represents the voice output level of the other segment (that is, the segment “from here”, “is”) The “route guidance voice signal” is generated so as to be larger than the voice guidance, and the voice output of the voice section of the keyword “right direction” indicating the guidance direction (that is, the voice section from time T ₁ to time T ₂ ) is guided A “sound image direction designation signal” that controls localization in the direction (that is, the right direction) is generated (see FIGS. 4A and 4B). The “route guidance audio signal” and the “sound image direction designation signal” are transmitted to the sound processing unit 4 together with the “audio output mute signal”.

  In this way, by controlling the sound output of the keyword representing the guidance direction in the guidance direction, the user (driver) can listen to the keyword representing the guidance direction and the sense of direction that matches the meaning of the keyword. And more effective route guidance can be performed.

  In addition, the sound output level of the predetermined section is made larger than the sound output level of other sections, and the sound output of the section is controlled to be localized in the guide direction. Control can be realized and more effective voice guidance can be performed.

On the other hand, in the case of performing direction control that adds a sense of direction to the guidance direction to the sound that is included in the voice guidance, as shown in FIG. 3, the sound that is included in the voice guidance is an existing sound (for example, The voice guidance 120 generates a “route guidance voice signal” that is changed to a longer arousing sound (for example, the arousing sound “Polopolone” of the voice guidance 120) compared to the arousing sound “pawn” of the voice guidance 110). Generates a “sound image direction designation signal” that controls the localization of the sound output of the sounding sound “polopololone” included in the sound (that is, the sound section from time T ₀ to time T ₁ ) in the guidance direction (ie, right direction). To do. The “route guidance audio signal” and the “sound image direction designation signal” are transmitted to the sound processing unit 4 together with the “audio output mute signal”.

  In this way, by performing localization control of the voice output of the audible sound included in the voice guidance in the guidance direction, the navigation voice (voice guidance) is urged and the guidance direction is emphasized and transmitted with the rousing sound. It is possible to effectively increase the amount of information transmitted by voice output.

  In addition, the sound of the sound that is included in the voice guidance is made longer than that of the normal sound, and the sound output of the lengthened sound is controlled in the direction of guidance. This is because there is a possibility that the arousing sound may be missed due to being. For this reason, the amount of information transmitted by voice output is effectively increased while preventing the user (driver) from overhearing the audible sound by making the audible sound included in the voice guidance longer than the normal audible sound. It becomes possible to make it.

  Here, “directional control” of navigation voice by the guide voice output control unit 24 will be described. Such “direction control” is realized by controlling the output intensity of the speakers SP1 to SP4 by a “sound image direction designation signal” transmitted from the guide voice output control unit 24 to the sound processing unit 4. For example, when this “sound image direction designation signal” is a control signal that does not accompany movement of the sound image (see FIG. 4A), as shown in the sound image GV1, the guidance direction relative to the driver 50 in the sound image creation range 51 The sound image is localized at the sound image fixing point 51a existing in the (right direction). In this case, the sound image fixing point 51a is not limited to the sound image creation range 51, and may be a position where the guidance direction can be suggested to the driver.

  When this “sound image direction designation signal” is a control signal accompanying the movement of the sound image (see FIG. 4-2), as shown in GV (sound image) 2, a sound image is displayed at the movement start position 52a in the sound image creation range 52. Localize and move the sound image position along with the sound output. Thereafter, the moving direction of the sound image is changed from the direction change position 52b, thereby indicating in which direction the host vehicle should travel by the moving direction of the sound image. In this case, the movement start position 52a and the direction change position 52b are not limited to the sound image creation range 52, and may be any positions that can suggest the guidance direction by moving the sound image position. .

  As described above, the “sound image direction designation signal” may be a control signal that does not involve movement of the sound image, or may be a control signal that involves movement of the sound image, and the sound output in a predetermined section is localized in the guidance direction. If it controls, it can apply to this invention similarly.

  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 divided 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 transmits the music information output by the main control unit 31 to the sound processing 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 25 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 sound processing unit 4 includes a microcomputer 41, a codec 42, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) 43, and an amplifier 44 therein. The microcomputer 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 divided according to each function, and the physical configuration may be integrated.

  The codec 42 converts the audio information received from the guide audio output control unit 24 in the navigation unit 2 and the music information received from the audio output control unit 32 inside the audio unit 3 into digital signals by the A / D unit 42a included therein. The data is converted and output to the DSP 43 as sound data.

  The microcomputer 41 is a control unit that controls the sound processing unit 4 as a whole. Specifically, the microcomputer 41 performs integrated control of audio output from the navigation unit 2 and music output from the audio unit 3, and from which speaker and which Controls whether to play audio and music with only output. For example, when the “audio output mute signal” is received from the navigation unit 2, the reproduction of the music information is stopped, and then the “route guidance voice signal” and the “sound image direction designation signal” are received. Based on the “guidance voice signal” and “sound image direction designation signal”, the output intensity is adjusted by the speakers SP1 to SP4 to output voice guidance.

  The DSP 43 determines the output content from each speaker based on the output of the microcomputer 41, performs digital signal processing on the output of the A / D unit 42a, and performs a D / A 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, for example, 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 the driver can hear sound from a desired direction by controlling the output intensity.

  Next, communication between the navigation unit 2 and the sound processing unit 4 will be described. Communication between the navigation unit 2 and the sound processing 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”, “sound image direction designation signal”, and “audio output mute signal” is performed from the navigation unit 2.

  Among these, 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. Further, the “sound image direction designation signal” is a signal indicating the creation position of the sound image and the content of movement, and text data or binary data can be used. Furthermore, the “audio output mute signal” is a signal for requesting the output of a route guidance audio signal, that is, a request for a decrease in reproduction output of music information output by the audio unit 3 or the like, or stop of reproduction. Etc. can be used.

(Processing procedures)
Next, procedures of various processes of the navigation system according to the first embodiment will be described. Here, after explaining the voice output control process for controlling the localization of the keyword representing the guidance direction in the guidance direction, the voice output control process for controlling the localization of the audible sound included in the voice guidance in the guidance direction will be explained. .

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the voice output control process for controlling the localization of the keyword representing the guidance direction in the guidance direction. The processing flow shown in FIG. 5 is recursively executed when the navigation unit 2 operates. Here, an example in which the voice guidance 100 shown in FIG. 2 is output as a voice will be described.

  First, the guide content creation unit 23 creates guide point information from the position of the host vehicle and the planned route (step S501), and determines whether or not the host vehicle has reached a point requiring route guidance (step S502). . For example, if “neighboring the own vehicle”, “within 300 m from the own vehicle”, and “within 700 m from the own vehicle” are points requiring route guidance, these route guidance is performed based on the current position of the own vehicle. It is determined whether or not the point that needs to be reached.

Here, if the host vehicle has reached a point that requires route guidance (Yes at Step S502), the guide voice output control unit 24 will specify the keyword “representing the guidance direction” in the voice guidance 100 “Following the right direction”. Compare the audio output level of the “rightward” audio segment (ie, the audio segment from time T ₁ to time T ₂ ) with the audio output level of the other segment (ie, “beyond”, “is”, etc.) A “route guidance voice signal” is generated so as to increase (step S503).

Subsequently, the guide voice output control unit 24 outputs the voice output in the voice section of the keyword “right direction” (that is, the voice section from time T ₁ to time T ₂ ) indicating the guidance direction in the guidance direction (that is, right direction). A “sound image direction designation signal” for localization control is generated (step S504).

  Then, the guide voice output control unit 24 transmits an “audio output mute signal” to the sound processing unit 4 (step S505), and the microcomputer 41 in the sound processing unit 4 that has received this “audio output mute signal” receives the music information. Is paused (step S506).

  Subsequently, the guide voice output control unit 24 transmits a “route guidance voice signal” and a “sound image direction designation signal” to the sound processing unit 4 (step S507), and the microcomputer 41 in the sound processing unit 4 performs the “path guidance”. Based on the “voice signal” and the “sound image direction designation signal”, the output intensity is adjusted by the speakers SP1 to SP4 to output the voice guidance 100 (step S508), and the process is terminated.

  Next, an audio output control process for controlling the localization of a keyword representing the guidance direction in the guidance direction will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the voice output control process for controlling the localization of the keyword representing the guidance direction in the guidance direction. The processing flow shown in FIG. 6 is recursively executed when the navigation unit 2 operates. Here, an example in which the voice guidance 120 shown in FIG. 3 is output as a voice will be described.

  First, the guide content creation unit 23 creates guide point information from the position of the host vehicle and the planned route (step S601), and determines whether or not the host vehicle has reached a point requiring route guidance (step S602). . For example, if “neighboring the own vehicle”, “within 300 m from the own vehicle”, and “within 700 m from the own vehicle” are points requiring route guidance, these route guidance is performed based on the current position of the own vehicle. It is determined whether or not the point that needs to be reached.

  Here, if the own vehicle has reached a point that requires route guidance (Yes in step S602), the guide voice output control unit 24 uses the existing audible sound included in the voice guidance (for example, the voice guidance 110). A “route guidance voice signal” that is changed to a long arousing sound (for example, the arousing sound “Polopolone” of the voice guidance 120) compared to the sound “Pawn”) is generated (step S603).

Subsequently, the guide voice output control unit 24 directs the voice output of the voice section (ie, the voice section from time T ₀ to time T ₁ ) of the arousing sound “Polopololone” included in the voice guidance 120 to the guidance direction (ie, to the right A “sound image direction designation signal” for localization control is generated (step S604).

  Then, the guide voice output control unit 24 transmits an “audio output mute signal” to the sound processing unit 4 (step S605), and the microcomputer 41 in the sound processing unit 4 that has received this “audio output mute signal” receives music information. Is paused (step S606).

  Subsequently, the guide voice output control unit 24 transmits a “route guidance voice signal” and a “sound image direction designation signal” to the sound processing unit 4 (step S607), and the microcomputer 41 in the sound processing unit 4 performs the “path guidance”. Based on the “voice signal” and the “sound image direction designation signal”, the output intensity is adjusted by the speakers SP1 to SP4 to output the voice guidance 120 (step S608), and the process is terminated.

  As described above, according to the navigation system according to the first embodiment, since the voice output of the predetermined section of the voice guidance is controlled in the guidance direction, the sense of direction control in which the guidance direction is emphasized is realized. And effective voice guidance can be performed.

  Further, according to the navigation system according to the first embodiment, since the voice output of the keyword representing the guidance direction is controlled to be localized in the guidance direction, the keyword representing the guidance direction and the direction matching the meaning of the keyword The user (driver) can listen to the feeling, and more effective route guidance can be performed.

  Further, according to the navigation system according to the first embodiment, since the localization of the sound output of the audible sound included in the voice guidance is controlled in the guidance direction, the navigation voice (voice guidance) is prompted to be urged. The direction of guidance can be emphasized and transmitted by the arousing sound, and the amount of information transmitted by voice output can be effectively increased.

  Although the first embodiment of the present invention has been described so far, the present invention can be implemented in various different embodiments within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims other than the above-described embodiments. It may be.

  For example, in the first embodiment, the navigation unit 2, the audio unit 3, and the sound processing unit 4 are configured independently of each other, but may be configured integrally.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the embodiment has been described in which the localization control is performed only for a single section as a predetermined section (for example, a section indicating a guidance direction or a sounding sound included in voice guidance). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the same can be applied to the case where there are a plurality of predetermined sections. For example, a more effective route can be achieved by combining directional control for localization control of a keyword representing the guidance direction in the guidance direction and directional control for localization control of the audible sound included in the voice guidance in the guidance direction. Guidance can be performed.

  In the first embodiment, as an example of performing the localization control of the voice output of the keyword “right direction” in the guidance direction as the keyword representing the guidance direction, any number of phrases can be used as long as the keyword represents the guidance direction. The keywords can be adopted. For example, in this case, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained even if the sound output of the keyword “right” is localized in the guidance direction as a keyword representing the guidance direction.

  Moreover, in Example 1, although the Example at the time of setting the guidance direction which performs localization control to "right direction" was described, this invention is not limited to this, "front", "right front", “Left forward”, “Left direction”, “Right rear”, “Left rear”, “Rear” and “Upward direction”, “Downward direction”, etc. it can.

  In addition, among the processes described in this embodiment, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically can be performed manually, or the processes described as being performed manually can be performed. All or a part can be automatically performed by a known method. In addition, the processing procedure, control procedure, specific name, and information including various data and parameters shown in the above-mentioned document and drawings can be arbitrarily changed unless otherwise specified.

  Further, each component of each illustrated apparatus is functionally conceptual, and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as illustrated. In other words, the specific form of distribution / integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or a part thereof may be functionally or physically distributed or arbitrarily distributed in arbitrary units according to various loads or usage conditions. Can be integrated and configured.

  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 illustrating a schematic configuration of a navigation system according to a first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating direction sense control which adds the direction feeling to a guidance direction to the keyword showing a guidance direction. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the direction control which adds the direction feeling to a guidance direction to the alert sound contained in audio | voice guidance. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the localization control in case the movement of a sound image is not accompanied. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the localization control in case the movement of a sound image is accompanied. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the audio | voice output control process which concerns on the keyword showing a guidance direction. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the audio | voice output control process which concerns on the alerting sound contained in audio | voice guidance.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Navigation system 2 Navigation unit 3 Audio unit 4 Sound processing part 21 GPS
22 path setting unit 23 guide content creation unit 24 guide voice output control unit 25 guide display control unit 31 main control unit 32 audio output control unit 33 display 41 microcomputer 42 codec 43 DSP
44 Amplifier GV1, GV2 Sound image SP1-SP4 Speaker

Claims (5)

A navigation device that performs route guidance by outputting voice guidance that prompts a vehicle operation in a guidance direction based on preset route information and position information of the host vehicle,
A navigation apparatus comprising voice output control means for performing localization control of voice output in a predetermined section of the voice guidance in the guidance direction.   The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the voice output control means controls localization of a voice output of a keyword representing the guidance direction in the guidance direction.   The navigation apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the voice output control means controls localization of a voice output of a rousing sound included in the voice guidance in the guidance direction.   The voice output control means makes a rousing sound included in the voice guidance longer than a normal evoking sound, and controls the localization of the voice output of the lengthened phoning sound in the guidance direction. Item 4. The navigation device according to Item 3.   The sound output control means increases the sound output level of the predetermined section compared to the sound output level of another section, and controls the localization of the sound output of the section in the guidance direction. The navigation apparatus as described in any one of 1-4.

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