JP2008116253A - Task executing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a task executing system capable of properly informing the execution state of a task to a user. <P>SOLUTION: The task executing system (1) for executing a task to output the execution result of the task to the user includes a voice or speech output means (106) whereby, when the predetermined task is executed, the execution state of the predetermined task is continuously informed to the user by the voice or speech output means (106). The predetermined task is, e.g., a task of which the runtime estimated by a runtime estimation means (104) is not shorter than the predetermined time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a task execution device that executes a task and outputs the execution result to a user.

Conventionally, an invention relating to a vehicle information providing system that provides information to a vehicle via a communication network has been disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this system, user usage history information, which is history information of inquiries from in-vehicle devices, is stored in an information center, and guidance information based on this is created and provided to the in-vehicle device side.
JP 2006-3321 A

  In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, when an operator in the information center starts a search process, the in-vehicle device outputs a voice message such as “We are currently investigating. Please wait.” (Paragraph [0040]). There is also a description that the already sent message is not output.

  However, simply outputting such a voice message at the start of processing may cause the user to feel uneasy when the processing time until the guidance information is actually provided becomes longer. This is because if the blank time until the start of provision of the guidance information becomes longer, a thought such as whether processing is in progress, some abnormality has occurred in the system, or the user's operation has been incorrect occurs.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and a main object of the present invention is to provide a task execution device capable of appropriately transmitting a task execution status to a user.

  One aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object is a task execution device that executes a task and outputs the execution result of the task to a user, comprising a voice output means, and executing a predetermined task Sometimes, the execution status of a predetermined task is continuously notified to the user by using a voice output means. Here, the “predetermined task” may be all tasks to be executed, or may be a task selected according to some criteria.

  According to this aspect of the present invention, since the execution status of a predetermined task is continuously notified to the user using the voice output means, the execution status of the task can be appropriately communicated to the user.

  One embodiment of the present invention is preferably mounted on a vehicle. In this case, a running state detection unit that detects the running state of the vehicle is provided, and the predetermined task may be a task that is executed while the running state detection unit detects that the vehicle is running.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, an execution time estimation unit that estimates an execution time required to execute a task is provided, and the predetermined task is a task having an execution time estimated by the execution time estimation unit of a predetermined time or more. Is desirable.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, it is desirable to continuously notify the user of the progress status related to the execution of the predetermined task using the audio output means when the predetermined task is being executed. In this case, it is more preferable to include an execution time estimation unit that estimates an execution time required for executing the task, and to estimate the progress based on the execution time estimated by the execution time estimation unit.

  In addition, the execution time estimation means according to claim 4 and the execution time estimation means according to claim 6 may be the same.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the task execution apparatus which can tell a user the execution condition of a task appropriately can be provided.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, a present Example demonstrates as what was applied to the vehicle-mounted navigation apparatus which can provide various traffic information including the information obtained by communication with an information center to a user. Communication with the information center is performed via, for example, a radio network of a mobile phone or the Internet.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of the task execution device 100. The task execution device 100 includes, for example, an input device 101, a command analysis unit 102, a task execution unit 103, an execution time estimation unit 104, an execution status notification unit 105, an output device 106, a memory, as main components. 110.

  The input device 101 includes, for example, a display device that allows a user to input various instructions as a touch panel, a dedicated switch, a microphone for voice input, and the like. The display device recognizes a position where the touch operation is performed by detecting a change in voltage caused by a user touching the surface. The user instruction input made to the input device 101 is converted into an electrical signal and output to the command analysis unit 102.

  The command analysis unit 102, task execution unit 103, execution time estimation unit 104, and execution status notification unit 105 are, for example, ECU (Electronic Control Unit), that is, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like are connected to each other via a bus. In addition, in a computer unit having a timer, a counter, and the like, the CPU is a functional block that functions when a CPU stores (loads) a program stored in a ROM and executes it. In this case, the memory 110 may be disposed in the ECU.

  The command analysis unit 102 analyzes the electrical signal input from the input device 101 and grasps the user's instruction content. In this embodiment, the user's instruction content includes setting of a destination related to route guidance of the in-vehicle navigation device, generation of a recommended route thereafter, inquiry of traffic information to the information center, information center of facility information existing around the destination Including various downloads (hereinafter referred to as “tasks”). The task grasped by the command analysis unit 102 is output to the task execution unit 103 and the execution time estimation unit 104.

  The task execution unit 103 executes the various tasks exemplified above. That is, a destination search from a destination list stored in the memory 110, a recommended route generation using map information, an instruction to a communication device for inquiring or downloading to an information center, and the like are executed. The output device 106 is used to notify the user when the destination is searched, the recommended route is generated, and the information acquisition / download from the information center is completed, and the route guidance and information presentation according to the recommended route are performed. Is further performed.

  The output device 106 includes a display device shared with the input device 101, a speaker, and the like.

  With such a configuration, the route function to the destination and the provision of various traffic information, which are the original functions of the in-vehicle navigation device, are realized using the output device 106. By the way, the above tasks include those that require a certain amount of time to finish. Therefore, when the time required to execute the task (hereinafter referred to as execution time) is long, the user may feel uneasy. If the blank time until the start of route guidance or information presentation becomes longer, it will cause thoughts such as whether it is being executed, whether something is wrong with the system, or whether my operation is wrong. is there.

  In particular, since the task execution device 100 of the present embodiment is applied to an in-vehicle navigation device, if the driver tries to visually check the display device to check the execution status, it may lead to a side-by-side driving. . Therefore, it is desirable to remove as much as possible the anxiety given to the user from the viewpoint of safe driving.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the execution time estimation unit 104 and the execution status notification unit 105 notify the user of the execution status including the progress status related to the task execution.

  The execution time estimation unit 104 estimates the execution time according to the type of task input from the command analysis unit 102. Specifically, when the task is the destination setting, the time approximately proportional to the number of destination lists stored in the memory 110 is estimated as the execution time. When the task is recommended route generation, the time corresponding to the road congestion degree (obtained from the map information stored in the memory 110) in the area where the vehicle exists (detected by means such as GPS) is set. Estimated execution time. Further, when the task is an inquiry of traffic jam information to the information center, the time corresponding to the communication status (congestion degree) on the day is estimated as the execution time. When the task is a download from the information center of the facility information existing around the destination, the time corresponding to the communication status and the size of the data to be downloaded is estimated as the execution time. The execution time estimated by the execution time estimation unit 104 (hereinafter referred to as estimated execution time) is output to the execution status notification unit 105.

  While the task execution unit 103 is executing a predetermined task whose estimated execution time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time, the execution status notification unit 105 uses the output device 106 to output a sound such as “processing is in progress” or “um”. Output continuously. At the same time, the output device 106 is used to output a sound for notifying the progress regarding the task execution. Hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as execution status notification.

  For example, when the task execution is 50% completed, the voice is output as “half finished”, and when the task execution is 90% completed, “soon to end” It is conceivable to output a sound such as “ The determination of how much the task execution has been completed is determined by comparing the estimated execution time with the elapsed time since the task execution actually started.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of sound output from the start to the end of task execution.

  Such voice output allows the user to continuously check the task execution status without feeling uneasy. Therefore, the user does not need to visually recognize the display device and can concentrate on driving, which can contribute to safe driving.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of the process described above. This flow is started when a user instruction is input to the input device 101.

  First, the command analysis unit 102 analyzes the electric signal input from the input device 101 to grasp the content of the user's instruction and outputs it to the task execution unit 103 and the execution time estimation unit 104 (S1).

  As described above, the execution time estimation unit 104 estimates the execution time according to the type of task input from the command analysis unit 102, and outputs the estimated execution time to the execution status notification unit 105 (S2).

  On the other hand, the task execution unit 103 outputs an execution start voice using the output device 106 (S3), and executes the task (S4).

  When the execution of the task is started, the execution status notification unit 105 determines whether or not the estimated execution time is equal to or longer than the predetermined time (S5). Until the process ends, the execution status is notified (S6). Here, if the estimated execution time is not less than the predetermined time, the notification of the execution status is not performed because when the execution status is notified even for a task whose execution ends in a short time, Based on the difficulty of synchronizing notification content. This is because, for example, a situation may occur in which a sound such as “half finished” is output at the time when execution is completed. In addition, if the notification frequency becomes too high, the user may be annoyed. Therefore, by limiting to tasks whose estimated execution time is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, an appropriate frequency and notification timing can be maintained.

  When the execution of the task ends, the task execution unit 103 outputs an execution end voice using the output device 106 (S7), and performs subsequent processing (route guidance, information presentation, etc.).

  According to the task execution device 100 of the present embodiment, the task execution status can be appropriately communicated to the user.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. And substitutions can be added.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a running state detection device 200 such as a vehicle speed sensor is provided, and the execution status is notified of a condition that the task is executed while it is detected that the vehicle is running. May be added to the conditions for In this case, the determination of S5 in the flowchart of FIG. 3 may be replaced with, for example, “whether the estimated execution time is a predetermined time or more and the vehicle speed is a predetermined vehicle speed or more”. The traveling state detection device 200 may be an ignition switch, a shift position sensor, a crank angle sensor, a side brake device, or the like.

  Further, although it is determined whether or not the execution status is notified depending on the length of the estimated execution time, the execution status may be notified for all tasks.

  In addition, notification of progress regarding task execution may be omitted.

  Therefore, the execution time estimation unit 104 is not indispensable when the execution status notification is performed when all tasks are executed and the progress status notification is not performed.

  Moreover, although the said Example was demonstrated as what was applied to the vehicle-mounted navigation apparatus, this invention is applied not only to the apparatus mounted in a vehicle but general information processing apparatuses, such as PC (Personal Computer). Is possible.

  The present invention can be used in the automobile manufacturing industry, the automobile parts manufacturing industry, and the like.

2 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a task execution device 100. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the audio | voice output until it is complete | finished after the execution of a task is started. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process performed by a present Example. It is a block diagram which shows the other example of the whole structure of the task execution apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Task execution apparatus 101 Input apparatus 102 Command analysis part 103 Task execution part 104 Execution time estimation part 105 Execution condition notification part 106 Output apparatus 110 Memory 200 Running state detection apparatus

Claims (6)

A task execution device that executes a task and outputs the execution result of the task to a user,
With audio output means,
A task execution device characterized in that, when a predetermined task is being executed, an execution status of the predetermined task is continuously notified to the user using the audio output means.   The task execution device according to claim 1, which is mounted on a vehicle. The task execution device according to claim 2,
A running state detecting means for detecting the running state of the vehicle;
The predetermined task is a task execution device that is a task that is executed while the traveling state detection unit detects that the vehicle is traveling. The task execution device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An execution time estimating means for estimating an execution time required for executing a task is provided.
The task execution device, wherein the predetermined task is a task whose execution time estimated by the execution time estimation means is equal to or longer than a predetermined time. The task execution device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A task execution device characterized in that when the predetermined task is being executed, a progress status regarding the execution of the predetermined task is continuously notified to the user using the voice output means. The task execution device according to claim 5,
An execution time estimating means for estimating an execution time required for executing a task is provided.
A task execution device that estimates the progress based on the execution time estimated by the execution time estimation means.

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