JP2009042159A - Voice reproducing device, voice reproducing method, and voice reproducing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reproduce only proper voice when a plurality of voice reproduction requirements continuously occurs in response to key operation, an operation state of a device or the like. <P>SOLUTION: The voice reproducing device includes: reproducing voice such as voice messages in response to operation by a user and/or the operation state of the device; more specifically, detecting voice reproduction requirements based on the operation by the user, the operation state of the device or the like; selecting the reproduction requirements of classification in which priority order is highest when a plurality of the reproduction requirements are accumulated; setting a waiting time corresponding to the selected reproduction requirements; and reproducing the voice corresponding to the reproduction requirement when the waiting time is zero, or when a new reproduction requirement does not occur at a time point when the waiting time passes. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a voice reproduction method for reproducing a voice message.

  In various devices, guidance voice is reproduced by key operation or time synchronization. When another sound interrupts during playback of a certain sound, the sound playback device stops the sound being played and plays the interrupt sound based on the priority of the sound, or continues the sound being played as it is Play and discard interrupted sound.

  Normally, when several sounds are reproduced continuously, the sound reproduction / stop processing is performed in the order in which the reproduction is requested. Therefore, when the user performs the key operation continuously, even after the user's key operation is finished, the sound that has been accumulated for a while is stopped and reproduced. To solve this problem, when continuous playback requests are input and there is a lot of audio to be played, only the highest priority audio is played and the other audio is discarded. It has been. Such a process is called a thinning process.

  An example of a navigation device that outputs guidance voice in route guidance is described in Patent Document 1.

JP 2004-157144 A

  However, according to the thinning-out process, there is no problem because an appropriate sound is reproduced after the user finishes the key operation. However, while the user continuously performs the key operation, the sound is reproduced all the time. Since the process is performed, the sound is repeatedly played back and stopped. Therefore, unnecessary sound may be partially reproduced, and it may be difficult for the user to hear.

  Examples of the problem to be solved by the present invention include the above. It is an object of the present invention to provide an audio reproduction method capable of reproducing only appropriate audio when a plurality of audio reproduction requests are continuously generated according to a key operation or an operation state of an apparatus. .

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an audio reproduction device, wherein a reproduction request detecting means for detecting an audio reproduction request and a reproduction request of the type having the highest priority when a plurality of reproduction requests are accumulated. A selecting means for selecting, a waiting time setting means for setting a waiting time corresponding to the reproduction request selected by the selecting means, and a new time when the waiting time is zero or when the waiting time has elapsed. Audio reproduction means for reproducing audio corresponding to the selected reproduction request when a reproduction request is not generated.

  The invention according to claim 6 is an audio reproduction method, wherein a reproduction request detection step for detecting an audio reproduction request and a reproduction request of the type having the highest priority when a plurality of reproduction requests are accumulated. A selecting step to select, a waiting time setting step for setting a waiting time corresponding to the reproduction request selected in the selecting step, and a new time when the waiting time is zero or when the waiting time has elapsed. An audio reproduction step of reproducing audio corresponding to the selected reproduction request when no reproduction request has occurred.

  The invention according to claim 7 is an audio reproduction program executed by a computer, a reproduction request detecting means for detecting an audio reproduction request, and a type having the highest priority when a plurality of reproduction requests are accumulated Selecting means for selecting the reproduction request, waiting time setting means for setting a waiting time corresponding to the playing request selected by the selecting means, when the waiting time is zero, or when the waiting time has elapsed The computer is caused to function as audio reproduction means for reproducing audio corresponding to the selected reproduction request when no new reproduction request is generated.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the audio reproduction device selects reproduction request detection means for detecting an audio reproduction request, and the type of reproduction request having the highest priority when a plurality of reproduction requests are accumulated. A selection means, a waiting time setting means for setting a waiting time corresponding to the reproduction request selected by the selection means, and a new reproduction request when the waiting time is zero or when the waiting time has elapsed. Audio reproduction means for reproducing the audio corresponding to the selected reproduction request when no occurrence has occurred.

  The above audio reproduction device reproduces audio such as an audio message in accordance with a user operation and / or an operation state of the device. Specifically, a voice reproduction request is detected based on an operation by the user, an operation state of the apparatus, and the like. When a plurality of reproduction requests are accumulated, the type of reproduction request with the highest priority is selected. In addition, a waiting time corresponding to the selected reproduction request is set. Then, when the waiting time is zero or when a new reproduction request is not generated when the waiting time has elapsed, the sound corresponding to the reproduction request is reproduced.

  According to the above audio playback device, since the playback of the sound corresponding to the playback request is postponed during the waiting time, if a new playback request occurs during that time, take that into account Which playback request is to be played back is determined. Therefore, the next reproduction request during the reproduction of the sound corresponding to a certain reproduction request is generated, and the sound being reproduced is not interrupted in the middle.

  In one aspect of the audio reproduction device, the audio reproduction unit reproduces audio corresponding to the latest reproduction request when there are a plurality of the selected reproduction requests. In this aspect, when there are a plurality of reproduction requests selected based on the priority order, the latest reproduction request is regarded as having the highest importance, and the sound corresponding to the latest reproduction request is reproduced.

  In another aspect of the above audio reproduction device, the selection means includes a reproduction request having the highest priority, including the new reproduction request, when a new reproduction request is generated within the waiting time. Select. In this aspect, when a new reproduction request is generated during the waiting time, the priority order is considered again and the reproduction request to be reproduced is determined.

  Another aspect of the audio reproduction device includes a wait time table that defines a relationship between the number of play requests and a wait time for each play request type, and the wait time setting unit includes the wait time table. To set the waiting time. In a preferred example, the waiting time table defines the waiting time so that the waiting time becomes longer as the number of playing requests increases for the same type of playing requests.

  In another embodiment of the present invention, an audio reproduction method selects a reproduction request detection step for detecting an audio reproduction request, and a type of reproduction request having the highest priority when a plurality of reproduction requests are accumulated. A selection step, a waiting time setting step for setting a waiting time corresponding to the reproduction request selected in the selection step, and a new reproduction request when the waiting time is zero or when the waiting time has elapsed. An audio reproduction step of reproducing audio corresponding to the selected reproduction request when no occurrence has occurred. According to this method, since the playback of the audio corresponding to the playback request is postponed during the waiting time, if a new playback request occurs during that time, which playback is taken into account. It is determined whether the audio for the request should be played. Therefore, the next reproduction request during the reproduction of the sound corresponding to a certain reproduction request is generated, and the sound being reproduced is not interrupted in the middle.

  In another embodiment of the present invention, an audio reproduction program executed by a computer includes a reproduction request detection unit that detects an audio reproduction request, and the type of reproduction having the highest priority when a plurality of reproduction requests are accumulated. Selecting means for selecting a request; waiting time setting means for setting a waiting time corresponding to the reproduction request selected by the selecting means; when the waiting time is zero or when the waiting time has elapsed When the reproduction request is not generated, the computer is caused to function as audio reproduction means for reproducing the audio corresponding to the selected reproduction request. By executing this program on a computer, the above-described audio reproduction device can be realized. The above program can be handled in a state stored in a storage medium.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Navigation device]
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of the navigation device 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation device 100 includes a self-supporting positioning device 10, a GPS receiver 18, a system controller 20, a disk drive 31, a data storage unit 36, a communication interface 37, a communication device 38, a display unit 40, and an audio output. A unit 50, an input device 60, and a microphone 65 are provided.

  The autonomous positioning device 10 includes an acceleration sensor 11, an angular velocity sensor 12, and a distance sensor 13. The acceleration sensor 11 is made of, for example, a piezoelectric element, detects vehicle acceleration, and outputs acceleration data. The angular velocity sensor 12 is composed of, for example, a vibrating gyroscope, detects the angular velocity of the vehicle when the direction of the vehicle is changed, and outputs angular velocity data and relative azimuth data. The distance sensor 13 measures a vehicle speed pulse composed of a pulse signal generated with the rotation of the vehicle wheel.

  The GPS receiver 18 receives radio waves 19 carrying downlink data including positioning data from a plurality of GPS satellites. The positioning data is used to detect the absolute position of the vehicle from latitude and longitude information.

  The system controller 20 includes an interface 21, a CPU 22, a ROM 23, and a RAM 24, and controls the entire navigation device 100.

  The interface 21 performs an interface operation with the acceleration sensor 11, the angular velocity sensor 12, the distance sensor 13, and the GPS receiver 18. From these, vehicle speed pulses, acceleration data, relative azimuth data, angular velocity data, GPS positioning data, absolute azimuth data, and the like are input to the system controller 20. The CPU 22 controls the entire system controller 20. The ROM 23 includes a nonvolatile memory (not shown) in which a control program for controlling the system controller 20 is stored. The RAM 24 stores various data such as route data preset by the user via the input device 60 so as to be readable, and provides a working area to the CPU 22.

  A system controller 20, a disk drive 31 such as a CD-ROM drive or a DVD-ROM drive, a data storage unit 36, a communication interface 37, a display unit 40, an audio output unit 50, and an input device 60 are mutually connected via a bus line 30. It is connected to the.

  The disk drive 31 reads and outputs content data such as music data and video data from a disk 33 such as a CD or DVD under the control of the system controller 20. The disk drive 31 may be either a CD-ROM drive or a DVD-ROM drive, or may be a CD and DVD compatible drive.

  The data storage unit 36 is composed of, for example, an HDD and stores various data used for navigation processing such as map data and facility data.

  The communication device 38 includes, for example, an FM tuner, a beacon receiver, a mobile phone, a dedicated communication card, and the like, and traffic congestion and traffic information distributed from a VICS (Vehicle Information Communication System) center via the communication interface 37. Receive road traffic information and other information.

  The display unit 40 displays various display data on a display device such as a display under the control of the system controller 20. Specifically, the system controller 20 reads map data from the data storage unit 36. The display unit 40 displays the map data read from the data storage unit 36 by the system controller 20 on a display screen such as a display. The display unit 40 includes a graphic controller 41 that controls the entire display unit 40 based on control data sent from the CPU 22 via the bus line 30 and a memory such as a VRAM (Video RAM), and can display image information that can be displayed immediately. A buffer memory 42 that temporarily stores, a display control unit 43 that controls display of a display 44 such as a liquid crystal display or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) based on image data output from the graphic controller 41, and a display 44 are provided. . The display 44 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display device having a diagonal of about 5 to 10 inches, and is mounted near the front panel in the vehicle.

  The audio output unit 50 includes a D / A converter 51 that performs D / A conversion of audio digital data sent via the bus line 30 from the disk 33 such as a CD or DVD or the RAM 24 under the control of the system controller 20. , An amplifier (AMP) 52 that amplifies the audio analog signal output from the D / A converter 51, and a speaker 53 that converts the amplified audio analog signal into sound and outputs the sound into the vehicle.

  The input device 60 includes keys, switches, buttons, a remote controller, a voice input device, and the like for inputting various commands and data. The input device 60 is arranged around the front panel of the navigation device body mounted in the vehicle and the display 44. When the display 44 is a touch panel system, the touch panel provided on the display screen of the display 44 also functions as the input device 60.

  The microphone 65 is provided in the vicinity of the driver's seat, collects a voice spoken by the user, and supplies a corresponding voice signal to the system controller 20. The system controller 20 has a voice recognition function, recognizes a voice command based on a voice signal supplied from the microphone 65, and executes a corresponding operation.

[Function configuration]
FIG. 2 shows a functional block diagram of the components related to the audio reproduction processing of the present invention among the components of the navigation device 100. As shown in the figure, the navigation device 100 is mainly functionally related to a playback request detection unit 101, a message storage unit 102, a waiting time table 103, a selection unit 104, a waiting time setting unit 105, and an audio playback unit 106. With. Among these, the reproduction request detection unit 101, the selection unit 104, the waiting time setting unit 105, and the audio reproduction unit 106 are realized by the CPU 22 of the system controller 20 executing a program prepared in advance. The message storage unit 102 and the waiting time table 103 can be realized by the ROM 23 or the data storage unit 36 in the system controller 20.

  The reproduction request detection unit 101 detects a reproduction request for a voice message. There are various reproduction requests. One of them is guidance guidance voice. When the navigation device 100 performs route guidance, a route guidance voice message is output at the guidance point. For example, when approaching a guidance point, a voice message such as “Next intersection is to the right” is output. In this case, the regeneration request detection unit 101 detects the regeneration request when the vehicle position of the vehicle approaches the guidance point.

  The reproduction request is also generated when the user inputs an instruction to the navigation device 100 by various key operations or remote control operations. For example, when the user inputs a volume adjustment instruction using the display 44 having a touch panel function or a remote controller, the navigation device 100 outputs a volume confirmation voice message such as “Guided at this volume”. In this case, the reproduction request detection unit 101 detects a reproduction request based on an operation instruction input by the user.

  Another reproduction request is speech recognition talkback. Specifically, when the user utters a voice command, the navigation apparatus 100 recognizes the voice command, reproduces the recognized voice command, and asks the user for confirmation. For example, when the user utters the voice command “map expansion”, the navigation device 100 outputs a voice message such as “map expansion?”. In this case, the reproduction request detection unit 101 detects a reproduction request based on a voice command input by the user.

  The message storage unit 102 stores a voice message to be reproduced for each condition that causes a reproduction request. For example, a voice message when approaching the next intersection during route guidance, a voice message when approaching the destination, a voice message when a voice command is entered, a message when a volume adjustment instruction is entered, etc. These are stored in association with the conditions of the respective reproduction requests.

  The waiting time table 103 defines the priority order and the waiting time for each type of reproduced sound. FIG. 3 shows an example of the waiting time table. In this example, the voice recognition talkback, the guidance guidance voice, and the volume adjustment voice are listed as the reproduction voice types. As shown in the drawing, the priority order is set higher in the order of voice recognition talkback, guidance guidance voice, and volume adjustment voice.

  “Wait time” is the time until a corresponding voice message is played in response to a playback request of each playback voice type. If the waiting time is “0”, the corresponding voice message is played immediately. When the waiting time is “10 msec”, the reproduction of the corresponding voice message is postponed until after 10 msec. As understood from FIG. 3, in principle, in the same playback audio type, the larger the number of playback requests that are left unplayed (stored), the longer the waiting time becomes. Is set to However, in the case of the voice recognition talkback, due to its nature, a plurality of reproduction requests are not accumulated, so the waiting time is always “0”. A reproduction request that has been stored without being reproduced is also referred to as a “reproduction waiting reproduction request”.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the selection unit 104 selects a reproduction request of the reproduction audio type having the highest priority from a plurality of reproduction waiting reproduction requests based on a predetermined priority order. For example, it is assumed that at a certain time, a reproduction request for a volume adjustment voice is generated by a key operation by a user, and a reproduction request for a guidance guidance voice is generated by route guidance processing. In this case, the selection unit 104 selects a guidance request voice reproduction request with a high priority, and discards the volume adjustment voice reproduction request. If there are a plurality of playback requests of the same playback audio type, the selection unit 104 selects the latest playback request and discards the remaining selection requests.

  The waiting time setting unit 105 refers to the waiting time table 103 for the playback request of the playback audio type selected by the selection unit 104, and sets the waiting time based on the number of playback requests. For example, when the selection unit 104 selects the guidance guidance voice based on the priority order from a plurality of reproduction voice types at a certain point in time, and when three guidance guidance voice reproduction requests are accumulated, the waiting time setting unit 105 Set the waiting time to 10 msec.

  When the audio output corresponding to one reproduction request is permitted, the audio reproduction unit 106 acquires the audio message corresponding to the reproduction request with reference to the message storage unit 102, and transmits the audio message through the audio output unit 50. Reproduce.

  Next, the audio reproduction process according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the audio reproduction process. This process is realized mainly by the CPU 22 of the system controller 20 executing a program prepared in advance and functioning as each element shown in FIG. This sound reproduction process is started when at least one reproduction request is generated.

  First, the reproduction request detection unit 101 detects a reproduction request, and determines whether or not there is one unprocessed reproduction request (that is, a reproduction request that has not been reproduced for a corresponding voice message) (step S101). When there is one reproduction request, the audio reproduction unit 106 refers to the message storage unit 102, acquires the corresponding audio message, and reproduces it (step S107).

  On the other hand, when there is not one reproduction request (step S101; No), since there are a plurality of reproduction requests, the selection unit 104 selects the reproduction request with the highest priority among the currently accumulated reproduction requests. Select (step S102). Specifically, the selection unit 104 refers to the waiting time table 103 illustrated in FIG. 3 and selects a playback request belonging to the playback audio type having the highest priority. In this case, if there are a plurality of playback requests belonging to the playback audio type having the highest priority, all of them are selected.

  Next, the waiting time setting unit 105 sets the waiting time with reference to the waiting time table 103 for one or a plurality of playback requests selected in step S102 based on the number and the playback audio type (see FIG. Step S103). Subsequently, the selection unit 104 selects the latest reproduction request in time among the reproduction requests selected in step S102 (step S104). As a result, the number of playback requests is limited to one.

  Next, the audio reproduction unit 106 determines whether or not the waiting time set in step S103 is “0” (step S105). When the waiting time is “0” (step S105: Yes), there is no need to wait for the reproduction of the voice message, so the voice reproduction unit 106 acquires the voice message corresponding to the reproduction request from the message storage unit 102 and immediately Playback is performed (step S107). On the other hand, when the waiting time is not “0” (step S105; No), the sound reproducing unit 106 postpones the sound reproduction by the waiting time (step S106), and the process returns to step S101.

  In step S101, the reproduction request detection unit 101 determines again whether or not there is one reproduction request. Here, if no new playback request is generated while the audio playback is postponed by the waiting time in step S106, the number of playback requests at that time is one (step S101; Yes), so Advances to step S107, and the voice message corresponding to the reproduction request is reproduced. That is, the voice message corresponding to the reproduction request is reproduced after the waiting time has elapsed.

  On the other hand, if a new playback request is generated while the audio playback is postponed for the waiting time in step S106, there are two or more playback requests at that time (step S101; No). Steps S102 to S106 are executed again for a plurality of reproduction requests existing in step S102.

  Next, a specific example of the audio reproduction process will be described. Now, as reproduction requests, three guidance guidance voice reproduction requests ("A1", "A2", and "A3" in order of occurrence time) and two reproduction requests for volume adjustment voice (in order of occurrence time). Assume that “B1” and “B2” are stored unprocessed.

  Since the total number of reproduction requests is 5, step S101 is No, and the process proceeds to step S102. In step S102, the selection unit 104 refers to the waiting time table 103, and compares the priority of the guidance guidance voice reproduction request with the volume adjustment voice reproduction request. In this example, since the reproduction request of the guidance guidance voice has a higher priority, the selection unit 104 selects three reproduction requests A1 to A3 of the guidance guidance request from the five reproduction requests.

  Since the reproduction requests selected in step S102 are the three reproduction requests A1 to A3 of the guidance guidance request, the wait time setting unit 105 refers to the wait time table 103 in step S103, and wait time “10 msec”. Set. Next, in step S104, the selection unit 104 selects the latest reproduction request A3 among the three remaining reproduction requests.

  In the subsequent step S105, since the waiting time is not “0”, step S105 is No, and in step S106, the reproduction of the reproduction request A3 is postponed by the waiting time of 10 msec. Then, the process returns to step S101. If a new reproduction request has not occurred after the waiting time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S107, and the voice message corresponding to the reproduction request A3 is reproduced. On the other hand, if a new playback request is generated during the waiting time and there are two or more playback requests, the process proceeds to step S102 again.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when a plurality of reproduction requests are accumulated, only the reproduction request belonging to the reproduction audio type having the highest priority is left, and the reproduction request belonging to the reproduction audio type having the lowest priority is left. Is destroyed. Furthermore, a waiting time is set based on the number of remaining reproduction requests. Depending on the type of reproduction request, the voice message is reproduced without waiting time. If the waiting time is not 0, playback is postponed for the waiting time, and it is determined whether a new playback request has occurred during that time. If no new reproduction request has occurred, the voice message corresponding to the reproduction request is reproduced after the waiting time has elapsed. On the other hand, when a new playback request is generated during the waiting time and there are a plurality of playback requests, one playback request is similarly selected from the plurality of playback requests based on the priority and the generation time. Playback is postponed for the corresponding waiting time.

  As described above, in this embodiment, even after a plurality of reproduction requests are narrowed down to one reproduction request, reproduction is not performed immediately, and whether or not the next reproduction request is generated is monitored for an appropriate waiting time. Therefore, another playback request is generated immediately after the voice message is played back, and the voice message being played back is not interrupted and a new voice message is not played back. That is, the message being reproduced is not cut off in the middle, and the user can be prevented from feeling uncomfortable.

The structure of the navigation apparatus by an Example is shown. It is a block diagram of the component relevant to the audio | voice reproduction | regeneration processing of an Example. An example of a waiting time table is shown. It is a flowchart of an audio | voice reproduction | regeneration process.

Explanation of symbols

10 Independent positioning device 18 GPS receiver 20 System controller 22 CPU
36 data storage unit 40 display unit 60 input device 65 microphone 101 reproduction request detection unit 102 message storage unit 103 waiting time table 104 selection unit 105 waiting time setting unit 106 audio reproduction unit

Claims (8)

A reproduction request detecting means for detecting an audio reproduction request;
A selection means for selecting a reproduction request of the type having the highest priority when a plurality of reproduction requests are accumulated;
Wait time setting means for setting a wait time corresponding to the reproduction request selected by the selection means;
Audio reproduction means for reproducing audio corresponding to the selected reproduction request when the waiting time is zero or when no new reproduction request has occurred when the waiting time has elapsed; An audio playback device comprising:   2. The audio reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the audio reproducing unit reproduces audio corresponding to the latest reproduction request when there are a plurality of the selected reproduction requests.   The selection means, when a new reproduction request is generated within the waiting time, selects the reproduction request with the highest priority including the new reproduction request. 2. The audio reproduction device according to 2. For each type of playback request, it has a waiting time table that defines the relationship between the number of playback requests and the waiting time,
4. The audio reproduction device according to claim 1, wherein the waiting time setting unit sets a waiting time with reference to the waiting time table. 5.   5. The audio reproducing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the waiting time table defines the waiting time so that the waiting time becomes longer as the number of playing requests increases for the same type of playing requests. A playback request detection step for detecting a playback request for audio;
A selection step of selecting the type of reproduction request with the highest priority when a plurality of reproduction requests are accumulated;
A waiting time setting step for setting a waiting time corresponding to the reproduction request selected by the selection step;
An audio reproduction step of reproducing audio corresponding to the selected reproduction request when the waiting time is zero or when no new reproduction request is generated when the waiting time has elapsed; An audio playback method comprising: An audio playback program executed by a computer,
A reproduction request detecting means for detecting a reproduction request of audio;
A selection means for selecting the type of reproduction request with the highest priority when a plurality of reproduction requests are accumulated;
Wait time setting means for setting a wait time corresponding to the reproduction request selected by the selection means;
When the waiting time is zero, or when a new playback request has not occurred when the waiting time has elapsed, the sound playback means plays back the sound corresponding to the selected playback request, An audio playback program for causing a computer to function.   A storage medium storing the sound reproduction program according to claim 7.

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