JP2009229292A - Sound output device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sound output device enabling a user to intuitively recognize the distance to a specific place with sound. <P>SOLUTION: This sound output device outputs a notification sound delaying from the user operation by a period responsive to the distance from the current position of a vehicle to POI (Point of Interest) (S130-S140). Thus, the user can obtain the outline of the distance to the POI based on the time length until the notification sound is heard from the own operation. Especially, when there are a plurality of POIs, by the operation to the POI by the user, the relative distance to each POI can be easily obtained. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a sound output device that outputs a notification sound in which the distance to a notification target is easily understood.

As a prior art, a navigation device described in Patent Document 1 below is known. This navigation device moves the sound image position in accordance with the guidance content, and makes the driver recognize the direction in which the vehicle should travel. For example, when notifying the driver to change the course to “right front” at the next intersection, create audio information that says “next intersection is right front”, and position the sound image position at the specified movement start point. To start audio output. Then, the sound image position is moved forward during the output of the sound information, and when the sound image position reaches a predetermined direction change position, the moving direction of the sound image position is changed from the direction change position to the right front (paragraph of Patent Document 1). “0068” etc.). As a result, the driver can effectively recognize the information about the guided route not only by the voice content but also by the movement of the sound image position.
JP 2005-164291 A

  By the way, when setting a destination or a waypoint in the navigation device, it may be difficult to understand the distance to the place. For example, when inputting a condition and selecting from a list of searched destination candidates and setting the destination, if the name of each destination candidate is displayed in letters, the driver The distance cannot be grasped intuitively. Therefore, it is conceivable to display the distance from the current position to each destination candidate together with the name of the destination candidate (for example, “XX station (3.5 km)”). However, even if the distance from the current position to each destination candidate is displayed together with the name of the destination candidate, the driver needs to visually recognize the displayed character. It is necessary to take time and effort to set the destination by visually recognizing the distance, and the distance to the destination candidate cannot be easily grasped.

  Therefore, it is considered to apply the technology of the navigation device described in Patent Document 1 described above. That is, for a specific destination candidate, it is conceivable that the name of the destination candidate is output as a voice at a sound image position corresponding to the position of the destination candidate. It is also conceivable to move the sound image position in correspondence with the direction in which the destination candidate exists.

  However, the recognition accuracy of the sound image position in human hearing is large among individuals, and particularly the recognition accuracy of the distance to the sound image position is not so good. Further, it is not easy for a person who has a difference in left and right hearing to grasp the position of the sound image.

  The present invention has been considered in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sound output device capable of intuitively recognizing a distance to a specific place by sound.

  The sound output device according to claim 1, which has been made to solve the above-described problem, specifies notification target position information acquisition means for acquiring notification target position information, which is information capable of specifying a notification target position, and specifies a current position. Current position information acquisition means for acquiring current position information, which is possible information, current position information based on notification target position information acquired by the notification target position information acquisition means and current position information acquired by the current position information acquisition means A distance calculating means for calculating the distance from the position to the position of the notification target, an operation receiving means for receiving an operation from the user, a sound output means for outputting a sound to the user, and the user of the notification target via the operation receiving means Sound output control means for causing the sound output means to output a notification sound with a delay from the user's operation for a time corresponding to the distance calculated by the distance calculation means when operated. That.

  In this way, if the notification sound is output with a delay corresponding to the distance from the current position to the notification target after the user operation, the length of time until the notification sound is heard from the user's operation. It is possible to grasp the outline of the distance to the notification target. In particular, when there are a plurality of notification targets, the user can easily grasp the relative distance to each notification target by performing an operation on each notification target.

  The sound output device according to claim 2 is a notification target position information acquisition unit that acquires notification target position information that is information that can specify a notification target position, and a current position that is information that can specify a current position. From the current position to the notification target position based on the current position information acquisition means for acquiring information, the notification target position information acquired by the notification target position information acquisition means, and the current position information acquired by the current position information acquisition means Distance calculation means for calculating the distance of the user, operation reception means for receiving an operation from the user, sound output means for outputting a sound to the user, and the user's operation on the notification target via the operation reception means, the distance calculation Sound output control means for causing the sound output means to output a notification sound having a length corresponding to the distance calculated by the means.

  In this way, if a notification sound having a length corresponding to the distance from the current position to the notification target is output, the user grasps an outline of the distance to the notification target based on the length of the notification sound. be able to. In particular, when there are a plurality of notification targets, the user can easily grasp the relative distance to each notification target by performing an operation on each notification target.

  The sound output device according to claim 3 is a notification target position information acquisition unit that acquires notification target position information that is information capable of specifying a notification target position, and a current position that is information capable of specifying the current position. From the current position to the notification target position based on the current position information acquisition means for acquiring information, the notification target position information acquired by the notification target position information acquisition means, and the current position information acquired by the current position information acquisition means Distance calculation means for calculating the distance of the user, operation reception means for receiving an operation from the user, sound output means for outputting a sound to the user, and the user's operation on the notification target via the operation reception means, the distance calculation Sound output control means for causing the sound output means to output a notification sound having a pitch corresponding to the distance calculated by the means.

  Thus, if the notification sound having a pitch corresponding to the distance from the current position to the notification target is output, the user can grasp the outline of the distance to the notification target by the pitch of the notification sound. it can. In particular, when there are a plurality of notification targets, the user can easily grasp the relative distance to each notification target by performing an operation on each notification target.

  The sound output device according to claim 4 is a notification target position information acquisition unit that acquires notification target position information that is information capable of specifying a notification target position, and a current position that is information capable of specifying the current position. From the current position to the notification target position based on the current position information acquisition means for acquiring information, the notification target position information acquired by the notification target position information acquisition means, and the current position information acquired by the current position information acquisition means Distance calculation means for calculating the distance of the user, operation reception means for receiving an operation from the user, sound output means for outputting a sound to the user, and the user's operation on the notification target via the operation reception means, the distance calculation Sound output control means for causing the sound output means to output a notification sound having a volume corresponding to the distance calculated by the means.

  As described above, if a notification sound having a volume corresponding to the distance from the current position to the notification target is output, the user can grasp an outline of the distance to the notification target based on the volume of the notification sound. it can. In particular, when there are a plurality of notification targets, the user can easily grasp the relative distance to each notification target by performing an operation on each notification target.

  The sound output device according to claim 5 is a notification target position information acquisition unit that acquires notification target position information that is information capable of specifying a notification target position, and a current position that is information that can specify a current position. From the current position to the notification target position based on the current position information acquisition means for acquiring information, the notification target position information acquired by the notification target position information acquisition means, and the current position information acquired by the current position information acquisition means Distance calculation means for calculating the distance of the user, operation reception means for receiving an operation from the user, sound output means for outputting a sound to the user, and the user's operation on the notification target via the operation reception means, the distance calculation Sound output control means for causing the sound output means to output a timbre notification sound corresponding to the distance calculated by the means.

  Thus, if a notification sound having a timbre corresponding to the distance from the current position to the notification target is output, the user can grasp the outline of the distance to the notification target by the timbre of the notification sound. it can. In particular, when there are a plurality of notification targets, the user can easily grasp the relative distance to each notification target by performing an operation on each notification target.

  Further, the sound output device according to claim 6 is based on the notification target position information acquired by the notification target position information acquisition means and the current position information acquired by the current position information acquisition means. Direction calculation means for calculating the direction is further provided, and the sound output control means outputs the notification sound by localizing the sound image position of the notification sound to be output by the sound output means in the presence direction calculated by the direction calculation means. Operates to cause the means to output.

  In this way, if the sound image position is localized in the presence direction of the notification target and the notification sound is output to the sound output means, the user recognizes the notification sound as if there is a sound source in the presence direction of the notification target. . Therefore, the user can know not only the distance from the notification sound to the notification target but also the direction of presence.

  A sound output device according to a seventh aspect is the sound output device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the sound output control means performs a user's notification on the notification target via the operation reception means. When there is an operation, prior to outputting the notification sound, the voice power means immediately outputs a predetermined notification sound that does not depend on the notification target.

  In this way, immediately after the user's operation, if a predetermined notification sound that does not depend on the notification target (a predetermined notification sound that does not change according to the distance calculated by the distance calculation means) is output, The user can catch a notification sound that varies depending on the distance calculated by the distance calculation means with reference to a predetermined notification sound. Therefore, the user can easily recognize how the notification sound has changed in pitch or the like according to the distance calculated by the distance calculating means, and as a result, the user can more easily recognize the distance to the notification target.

  Further, the sound output device according to claim 8 is the sound output device according to claim 6 or claim 7 that cites claim 1 or claim 1, and the operation receiving means receives from the user. When there are a plurality of notification targets corresponding to the operation, the distance calculation means calculates the distance from the current position to each notification target position, and the sound output control means is calculated by the distance calculation means for each notification target. The sound output means operates to output the notification sound with a delay corresponding to the distance from the user's operation.

  If it becomes like this, the user can recognize the dispersion | variation degree of the distance to the presence position of each notification object from a notification sound. For example, when a user hears a plurality of notification sounds without leaving the operation, the user can recognize that each notification target is concentrated near the current position. When the user hears a plurality of notification sounds intermittently, the user can recognize that the distance from the current position to each notification target varies.

  The function as the sound output control means described above may be realized by a program (claim 9). If such a program is executed by a computer incorporated in the sound travel device, the sound output device has the same operations and effects as the sound output device of the present invention described above. In addition, the program can be distributed using a network or the like, and the replacement of the program in the sound output apparatus is easier than the replacement of components. Therefore, it is possible to easily improve the function of the sound output device.

  Embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings. The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment, and can take various forms as long as they belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

[Description of configuration]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a navigation device 20 in which the function of the sound output device of the present invention is incorporated.

  The navigation device 20 is mounted on a vehicle and includes a position detection unit 21 that detects the current position of the vehicle, a wireless communication unit 25 that performs wireless communication with the outside, and an operation switch group 28 for inputting various instructions from a user. Similarly to the operation switch group 28, various instructions can be input, and a remote control terminal (hereinafter referred to as a remote controller) 27 that is separate from the main body of the navigation device 20 and a remote controller that inputs signals from the remote controller 27. A sensor 26, a map data input unit 29 for inputting data from a map storage medium in which map data, voice data, and the like are recorded, a display unit 30 for displaying a map and various information, and various guide voices, etc. A voice output unit 31 for outputting, a voice input unit 32 for inputting voice spoken by the user and outputting an electric signal based on the inputted voice, An in-vehicle LAN communication unit 33 that communicates with various ECUs connected to the LAN, the above-described position detection unit 21, wireless communication unit 25, operation switch group 28, remote control sensor 26, map data input unit 29, voice input unit 32 The wireless communication unit 25, the display unit 30, the audio output unit 31, and the control unit 39 that controls the in-vehicle LAN communication unit 33 are provided according to input from the in-vehicle LAN communication unit 33.

  The position detector 21 receives a radio wave from a GPS (Global Positioning System) artificial satellite via a GPS antenna (not shown) and outputs the received signal to the controller 39. In addition to the vehicle, A gyroscope 23 for detecting the magnitude of the rotational motion to be detected and a distance sensor 24 for detecting the distance traveled by the vehicle are provided. Based on the output signals from these units 22 to 24, the control unit 39 calculates the position, direction, speed, etc. of the vehicle. Although there are various methods for obtaining the current position based on the output signal from the GPS signal receiving unit 22, either a single positioning method or a relative positioning method may be used.

  The operation switch group 28 includes a touch panel configured integrally with the display surface of the display unit 30, mechanical key switches provided around the display unit 30, and the like. The touch panel and the display unit 30 are laminated and integrated. There are various types of touch panels, such as a pressure-sensitive method, an electromagnetic induction method, a capacitance method, or a combination of these methods. It may be used.

  The remote controller 27 includes a plurality of buttons. When any one of the buttons is pressed, a signal corresponding to the type of the button reaches the remote control sensor 26 via short-range wireless communication such as infrared rays. ing.

The remote control sensor 26 receives a signal sent from the remote control 27 and outputs the received signal to the control unit 39.
The wireless communication unit 25 acquires accident information, traffic jam information, etc. from the VICS information center via optical beacons, radio wave beacons, etc. installed on the roadside, and obtains tourist guidance information, etc. from the server via the packet communication network To do.

  The map data input unit 29 is a device for inputting various data stored in a map data storage medium (not shown) (for example, a hard disk or a DVD-ROM). The map data storage medium includes map data (node data, link data, cost data, background data, road data, name data, mark data, intersection data, etc.), POI data (POI name data, genre data, position data, etc.) ), Voice data for guidance, voice recognition data, and the like are stored. Instead of inputting these data from the map data storage medium, these data may be input via a communication network.

  The display unit 30 includes a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, and the like. The display screen of the display unit 30 includes a current position of the vehicle detected by the position detection unit 21 and map data input from the map data input unit 29. Additional data such as a mark indicating the identified current location, a guide route to the destination, a name, a landmark, and a mark of various facilities can be displayed in an overlapping manner. Also, facility guides can be displayed.

  The voice input unit 32 outputs an electric signal (voice signal) based on the input voice to the control unit 39 when the user inputs (speaks) voice. The user can operate the navigation device 20 by inputting various voices to the voice input unit 32.

  The in-vehicle LAN communication unit 33 is responsible for communication with various ECUs (engine ECU, AT-ECU, brake ECU, etc.) and various sensors (direction indicator sensor, door open / close sensor, etc.) connected to the in-vehicle LAN.

  The control unit 39 is composed mainly of a well-known microcomputer comprising a CPU, ROM, RAM, flash memory, I / O and a bus line connecting these components, and is stored in the ROM, flash memory, and the like. Various processes are executed based on the program. For example, the current position of the vehicle is calculated as a set of coordinates and traveling directions based on each detection signal from the position detection unit 21, and a map near the current position read via the map data input unit 29 is displayed on the display unit 30. Based on the current location display processing, the map data read via the map data input unit 29, and the destination set by operating the operation switch group 28, the remote controller 27, etc. by the user. The route calculation processing for calculating the optimum route up to and the route guidance processing for guiding the route by displaying the calculated route on the display unit 30 or outputting it as voice to the voice output unit 31 are executed.

[Description of operation]
Next, among the processes executed by the control unit 39, processes related to the invention of the present application will be described separately.

(1) First Embodiment First, notification sound output processing 1 executed by the control unit 39 of the navigation device 20 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The notification sound output process 1 is executed when the user performs a selection operation or the like on the POI (Point Of Interest) on the map displayed on the display unit 30 or the POIs displayed on the display unit 30 as a list. Is started.

When the control unit 39 starts executing the notification sound output process 1, it first starts counting a built-in timer (S110).
Subsequently, the control unit 39 specifies the current position, direction, and speed of the vehicle based on the signal obtained from the position detection unit 21 (S115).

Subsequently, the control unit 39 acquires information that can specify the location of the target POI operated by the user from the map data storage medium via the map data input unit 29 (S120).
Subsequently, the control unit 39 determines the distance to the POI based on the current position of the vehicle based on the current position of the vehicle identified in S115 and the information that can identify the existing position of the POI acquired in S120. The azimuth is calculated (S125).

  Subsequently, the control unit 39 calculates a delay time corresponding to the distance to the POI, which is the output start delay time of the notification sound (S130). Specifically, for example, it is conceivable to obtain the delay time by substituting the distance calculated in S125 into an equation represented by delay time (seconds) = distance (m) × coefficient α.

  Subsequently, the control unit 39 refers to the value of the timer that has started counting in S110, and determines whether or not the delay time calculated in S130 has elapsed since the count start (S135). If it is determined that the delay time calculated in S130 has elapsed (S135: Yes), the process proceeds to S140, and if it is determined that the delay time calculated in S130 has not elapsed (S135: No), S130 Stay in this step until the delay time calculated in step elapses.

  In S140, which proceeds when it is determined that the delay time calculated in S130 has elapsed, the control unit 39 outputs a notification sound via the audio output unit 31. The notification sound is output by localizing a sound image with reference to a predetermined user (for example, a driver) so that the notification sound can be heard from the direction specified in S120. The notification sound is preferably a short beep sound having a length of about 1 second, for example. When the notification sound is output, the control unit 39 ends the present process (notification sound output process 1).

Here, how notification sound is output by notification sound output processing 1 will be described with reference to the explanatory diagrams shown in FIGS.
The explanatory diagram 401 described in FIG. 3 shows that the user selects POI A (POI closer to the current location compared to POI B described later) on the map image 402 displayed on the display unit 30 via the touch panel. (Left side view) and a state (right side view) of the passage of time until the notification sound is output after selection. That is, when POI A is selected (clicked) by the user, an explanatory diagram 401 shows that a notification sound sounds with a delay in proportion to the distance A between POI A and the current location.

  Also, in the explanatory diagram 403 described in FIG. 3, the user selects POI B (POI far from the current location compared to POI A described above) on the map image 404 displayed on the display unit 30 via the touch panel. It is a state (right side view) of time (until left) and a time lapse until the notification sound is output after selection. That is, FIG. 403 shows that when the user selects (clicks) POI B, a notification sound is emitted with a delay proportional to the distance B between POI B and the current location.

  Also, in the explanatory diagram 451 described in FIG. 4, the user selects POI A (POI closer to the current location compared to POI B) on the POI list 452 displayed on the display unit 30 via the touch panel. (Left side view) and time (right side view) after selection until the notification sound is output. That is, when POI A is selected (clicked) by the user, it is shown in the explanatory diagram 451 that the notification sound is delayed with a time proportional to the distance A between the POI A and the current location.

  Also, in the explanatory diagram 453 described in FIG. 4, the user selects POI B (POI closer to the current location compared to POI A) on the POI list 454 displayed on the display unit 30 via the touch panel. (Left side view) and a state (right side view) of the passage of time until the notification sound is output after selection. That is, when POI B is selected (clicked) by the user, the explanation sound 453 shows that the notification sound is delayed with a time proportional to the distance B between POI B and the current location.

  An explanatory diagram 501 described in FIG. 5 schematically shows the position of the notification sound regarding the POI A recognized by the user. That is, the notification sound related to POI A is recognized as if it was emitted from a sound source in the direction ahead of the vehicle, and POI A actually exists in the direction ahead of the vehicle.

  An explanatory diagram 502 shown in FIG. 5 schematically shows the position of the notification sound regarding the POI B recognized by the user. That is, the notification sound related to POI B is recognized as if it was emitted from a sound source located in the left direction of the vehicle, and POI B actually exists in the left direction of the vehicle.

  The navigation device 20 of the first embodiment has been described above, but the navigation device 20 of the first embodiment outputs a notification sound with a delay from the user operation by a time corresponding to the distance from the current position of the vehicle to the POI ( S130 to S140). For this reason, the user can grasp the outline of the distance to the POI by the length from the user's operation until the notification sound is heard. In particular, when there are a plurality of POIs, the user can easily grasp the relative perspective to each POI by performing an operation on each POI.

  In addition, the navigation device 20 of the first embodiment outputs a notification sound by localizing the sound image position in the POI existence direction with reference to a predetermined user (see S140). For this reason, the user recognizes the notification sound as if the sound source is in the presence direction of the notification target. Therefore, the user can know not only the distance from the notification sound to the notification target but also the direction of presence.

(2) Second Embodiment Next, notification sound output processing 2 executed by the control unit 39 of the navigation device 20 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The notification sound output process 2 is executed when the user performs a selection operation or the like on the POI (Point Of Interest) on the map displayed on the display unit 30 or the POIs displayed on the display unit 30 as a list. Be started.

When starting the notification sound output process 2, the control unit 39 first identifies the current position, direction, and speed of the vehicle based on the signal obtained from the position detection unit 21 (S210).
Subsequently, the control unit 39 acquires information that can specify the location of the target POI operated by the user from the map data storage medium via the map data input unit 29 (S215).

  Subsequently, the control unit 39 determines the distance to the POI based on the current position of the vehicle based on the current position of the vehicle identified in S210 and the information that can identify the existing position of the POI acquired in S215. The azimuth is calculated (S220).

  Subsequently, the control unit 39 calculates the length of the notification sound according to the distance (the duration during which the notification sound is ringing) (S225). Specifically, for example, the length of the notification sound is substituted by substituting the distance calculated in S220 into an expression such as the length of the notification sound (second) = coefficient α × distance (m) + β (second). Can be considered.

  Subsequently, the control unit 39 outputs a notification sound for the length calculated in S225 via the audio output unit 31 (S230). Note that the notification sound is output by localizing a sound image with reference to a predetermined user (for example, a driver) so that the notification sound can be heard from the direction specified in S220. When the control unit 39 finishes outputting the notification sound, the control unit 39 ends the present process (notification sound output process 2).

  The navigation device 20 of the second embodiment has been described above, but the navigation device 20 of the second embodiment outputs a notification sound for a length corresponding to the distance from the current position of the vehicle to the POI (see S230). . For this reason, the user can grasp the outline of the distance from the length of the notification sound to the POI. In particular, when there are a plurality of POIs, the user can easily grasp the relative perspective to each POI by performing an operation on each POI.

  In addition, the navigation device 20 of the second embodiment outputs a notification sound by localizing the sound image position in the POI existence direction with reference to a predetermined user (S220, S230). For this reason, the user recognizes the notification sound as if the sound source is in the presence direction of the notification target. Therefore, the user can know not only the distance from the notification sound to the notification target but also the direction of presence.

(3) Third Embodiment Next, a condition search process executed by the control unit 39 of the navigation device 20 of the third embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The condition search process is started when a search condition related to POI is selected by the user via the operation switch group 28. Specifically, for example, when searching for a target facility, execution is started when one of facility genres (convenience store, gas station, family restaurant, etc.) is selected as a search condition by the user.

  When starting the execution of the condition search process, the control unit 39 first outputs an initial notification sound (S305). This initial notification sound is the same notification sound that does not change regardless of the conditions selected by the user, and is a short beep sound of about 0.5 seconds.

Subsequently, the control unit 39 starts counting a built-in timer (S310).
Subsequently, the control unit 39 specifies the current position, direction, and speed of the vehicle based on the signal obtained from the position detection unit 21 (S315).

  Subsequently, the control unit 39 searches the POI corresponding to the condition selected by the user operation that triggered the start of the condition search process by a predetermined number (for example, five) in order from the current position, and searches each position. Information is obtained (S320). This search is performed by searching the POI stored in the map data storage medium via the map data input unit 29 using the condition selected by the user operation and the information that can identify the current position acquired in S315. Note that the search range from the current position may be changed according to the selected condition. For example, if the condition selected by the user operation is “convenience store”, it is considered that there are many convenience stores in a relatively narrow area, so the search range from the current position is determined as “radius 4 km”, for example. Just search. Further, for example, when the condition selected by the user operation is “amusement park”, it is considered that the amusement park is scattered in a relatively wide area. Therefore, the search range from the current position is set to “radius 300 km”, for example. And then search.

  Subsequently, the control unit 39 calculates the distance and direction to each POI searched in S320 based on the current position of the vehicle specified in S315 and the POI position information obtained in S320. (S325).

  Subsequently, the control unit 39 calculates, for each POI, a delay time corresponding to the distance, which is the output start delay time of the notification sound (S330). Specifically, for example, it is conceivable to obtain the delay time by substituting the distance calculated in S325 into an equation represented by delay time (second) = coefficient α × distance (m) + β (second). .

  Subsequently, the control unit 39 determines whether there is a POI that has not yet output the notification sound (S335). Here, “POI without notification sound output” means a POI related to a notification sound that has not been output in S350, which will be described later. When the control unit 39 determines that there is a POI that has not been output with the notification sound (S335: Yes), the control unit 39 proceeds to S340, and when it is determined that there is no POI that has not output the notification sound (S335: No), this process (condition search process) is terminated.

  In S340, which is performed when it is determined that there is a POI that has not been output as a notification sound, a POI that has not been output as a notification sound is selected. This selection is performed by selecting the POI with the shortest delay time calculated in S330 from the POIs that have not yet output the notification sound. Further, hereinafter, S345 and S350 perform processing for the selected POI.

  Subsequently, the control unit 39 refers to the value of the timer that has started counting in S310, and determines whether or not the delay time calculated in S330 has elapsed for the selected POI (S345). If it is determined that the delay time calculated in S330 has elapsed (S345: Yes), the process proceeds to S350, and if it is determined that the delay time calculated in S330 has not elapsed (S345: No), S330 Stay in this step until the delay time calculated in step elapses.

  In S350 that proceeds when it is determined that the delay time has elapsed in S330, the control unit 39 outputs a notification sound via the audio output unit 31 regarding the selected POI. Note that the sound image is localized and output with reference to a predetermined user (for example, a driver) so that the notification sound can be heard from the direction specified in S315. The notification sound may be a short beep sound having a length of about 1 second, for example. When the notification sound is output, the control unit 39 returns the process to S335.

  The navigation device 20 according to the third embodiment has been described above. However, according to the navigation device 20 according to the third embodiment, the user can recognize the variation in the distance to the position where each POI exists from the notification sound. For example, when a user hears a plurality of notification sounds without leaving the operation, the user can recognize that each POI is concentrated near the current position, and intermittently after the operation. In particular, when the user hears a plurality of notification sounds, the user can recognize that the distance from the current position to each POI varies.

  In addition, the navigation device 20 of the third embodiment has no influence of the distance (common to all POIs) prior to the notification sound having a delay in the time until output (delay corresponding to the distance to the POI). ) An initial notification sound is first output (S305). Therefore, the user can catch the notification sound whose output changes according to the distance with reference to the initial notification sound. Therefore, the user can easily recognize the change in the notification sound that changes in the time until output, and as a result, the user can easily recognize the distance to the notification target.

[Other Embodiments]
(1) The navigation device 20 of the third embodiment has an initial notification sound common to all POIs prior to a notification sound that has a delay (delay corresponding to the distance to the POI) in the time until output. Although it is output first, the navigation apparatus 20 of the first embodiment and the second embodiment may similarly output an initial notification sound. That is, prior to the processing of S110 in the first embodiment, a common short sound may be first output to any POI. In addition, a short beep sound that is not affected by the distance to the POI may be first output prior to the processing of S210 in the second embodiment.

In this way, the user can easily recognize how the notification sound changes in output according to the distance, and as a result, the user can easily recognize the distance to the notification target.
(2) In the second embodiment, the length of the notification sound is changed according to the distance from the current position to the POI. However, the pitch, volume, or volume of the notification sound according to the distance from the current position to the POI. At least one of the timbres may be changed. Specifically, as the POI position becomes farther from the current position, the notification sound is output with a relatively high pitch, or the notification sound is output with a relatively low volume. It can be considered that the timbre is made clear in stages and output. These may be combined.

Even if it does in this way, the effect similar to the case where the length of a notification sound is changed according to the distance from a present position to POI can be acquired.
[Correspondence with Claims]
The correspondence between the terms used in the description of the embodiment and the terms described in the claims is shown.

  The map data input unit 29 corresponds to the notification target position information acquisition unit, the position detection unit 21 corresponds to the current position information acquisition unit, the operation switch group 28 corresponds to the operation reception unit, and the voice output unit 31 corresponds to the sound output unit. It corresponds to. The control unit 39 corresponds to a distance calculation unit, a direction calculation unit, and a sound output control unit.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of a navigation apparatus. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the notification sound output process 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a mode that a notification sound is output. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a mode that a notification sound is output. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a mode that a notification sound is output. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the notification sound output process 2. FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a condition search process.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Navigation apparatus, 21 ... Position detection part, 22 ... GPS signal receiving part, 23 ... Gyroscope, 24 ... Distance sensor, 25 ... Wireless communication part, 26 ... Remote control sensor, 27 ... Remote control, 28 ... Operation switch group, 29 ... Map data input unit, 30 ... Display unit, 31 ... Audio output unit, 32 ... Audio input unit, 33 ... In-vehicle LAN communication unit, 39 ... Control unit.

Claims (9)

Notification target position information acquisition means for acquiring notification target position information, which is information capable of specifying a notification target position;
Current position information acquisition means for acquiring current position information, which is information capable of specifying the current position;
A distance for calculating the distance from the current position to the position of the notification target based on the notification target position information acquired by the notification target position information acquisition means and the current position information acquired by the current position information acquisition means A calculation means;
Operation accepting means for accepting an operation from a user;
Sound output means for outputting sound to the user;
A sound that causes the sound output means to output a notification sound with a delay from the user's operation by a time corresponding to the distance calculated by the distance calculation means when there is a user operation on the notification target via the operation reception means. Output control means;
A sound output device comprising: Notification target position information acquisition means for acquiring notification target position information, which is information capable of specifying a notification target position;
Current position information acquisition means for acquiring current position information, which is information capable of specifying the current position;
A distance for calculating the distance from the current position to the position of the notification target based on the notification target position information acquired by the notification target position information acquisition means and the current position information acquired by the current position information acquisition means A calculation means;
Operation accepting means for accepting an operation from a user;
Sound output means for outputting sound to the user;
A sound output control means for causing the sound output means to output a notification sound having a length corresponding to the distance calculated by the distance calculating means when there is a user operation on the notification target via the operation receiving means;
A sound output device comprising: Notification target position information acquisition means for acquiring notification target position information, which is information capable of specifying a notification target position;
Current position information acquisition means for acquiring current position information, which is information capable of specifying the current position;
A distance for calculating the distance from the current position to the position of the notification target based on the notification target position information acquired by the notification target position information acquisition means and the current position information acquired by the current position information acquisition means A calculation means;
Operation accepting means for accepting an operation from a user;
Sound output means for outputting sound to the user;
A sound output control means for causing the sound output means to output a notification sound having a pitch corresponding to the distance calculated by the distance calculating means when there is a user operation on the notification target via the operation receiving means;
A sound output device comprising: Notification target position information acquisition means for acquiring notification target position information, which is information capable of specifying a notification target position;
Current position information acquisition means for acquiring current position information, which is information capable of specifying the current position;
A distance for calculating the distance from the current position to the position of the notification target based on the notification target position information acquired by the notification target position information acquisition means and the current position information acquired by the current position information acquisition means A calculation means;
Operation accepting means for accepting an operation from a user;
Sound output means for outputting sound to the user;
A sound output control means for causing the sound output means to output a notification sound having a volume corresponding to the distance calculated by the distance calculating means when there is a user operation on the notification target via the operation receiving means;
A sound output device comprising: Notification target position information acquisition means for acquiring notification target position information, which is information capable of specifying a notification target position;
Current position information acquisition means for acquiring current position information, which is information capable of specifying the current position;
A distance for calculating the distance from the current position to the position of the notification target based on the notification target position information acquired by the notification target position information acquisition means and the current position information acquired by the current position information acquisition means A calculation means;
Operation accepting means for accepting an operation from a user;
Sound output means for outputting sound to the user;
A sound output control means for causing the sound output means to output a notification sound of a timbre corresponding to the distance calculated by the distance calculating means when there is a user operation on the notification target via the operation receiving means;
A sound output device comprising: In the sound output device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Direction calculation means for calculating the presence direction of the notification target at the current position based on the notification target position information acquired by the notification target position information acquisition means and the current position information acquired by the current position information acquisition means. Further comprising
The sound output control means causes the sound output means to output the notification sound by localizing the sound image position of the notification sound to be output to the sound output means in the presence direction calculated by the direction calculation means;
A sound output device characterized by. The sound output device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The sound output control means immediately outputs a predetermined notification sound that does not depend on the notification object prior to outputting the notification sound when a user operation is performed on the notification object via the operation reception means. Letting the means output,
A sound output device characterized by. In the sound output device according to claim 6 or claim 7 that cites claim 1 or claim 1,
When there are a plurality of notification targets corresponding to one operation received by the operation receiving means from the user,
The distance calculation means calculates a distance from a current position to each position to be notified,
The sound output control means causes the sound output means to output the notification sound delayed from the user's operation by a time corresponding to the distance calculated by the distance calculation means for each notification target;
A sound output device characterized by.   The program for functioning a computer as the said sound output control means in the sound output device in any one of Claims 1-8.