JP2011013564A - Information presenting device and information presenting method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information presenting system capable of effectively preventing the occurrence of user's waiting time due to voice synthesis when information is presented with voice.SOLUTION: The information presenting system includes: a means for obtaining a plurality of pieces of information for presenting to a user; a means for calculating a creating time period which is a time period required for creating a voice data from the information; a means for calculating a voice output time period which is a time period required for outputting the voice data created based on the information; and a means for setting a processing order for sequentially creating the voice data from the information, and for sequentially outputting the created voice data, based on the voice output time period and the calculated creating time period. When the processing order is set by the setting means of the information processing system, the information for creating the voice data is set as information for creating and outputting the voice data following the information in which the processing order is already set, before finishing creation and outputting of all voice data regarding the information in which the processing order is already set.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information presentation apparatus and an information presentation method.

  There is known a technique for presenting a plurality of information to a user by voice in an order desired by the user based on a presentation order preset by the user (Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-343979 A

  However, in the prior art, information is output as speech by performing speech synthesis based on information, but information that has already been speech-synthesized while speech synthesis is performed on information for next speech output. If the voice output for the next time is finished, the voice output of the information for the next voice output is not started until the voice synthesis for the information for the next voice output is finished, and there is a waiting time for the user was there.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an information presentation device that can effectively prevent the occurrence of a user's waiting time due to speech synthesis when presenting information to the user by voice.

  The present invention acquires a plurality of information, sequentially generates audio data based on the acquired information, and sets the processing order for sequentially outputting the generated audio data, the processing order is already set Information that can generate audio data is set as information for generating and outputting audio data following the information whose processing order has already been set before the generation and output of the audio data for the information is completed. This solves the above problem.

  According to the present invention, as information for generating sound data next, information capable of generating sound data is set before the sound output of the already generated sound data is finished. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent the waiting time of the user from occurring.

It is a lineblock diagram of the information presentation system concerning this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the information presentation process which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of POI information regarding the spot which exists around a user's present position. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the process order setting process of step S104. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example technique for setting the processing order of audio data based on POI information in the scene example shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example technique for setting the processing order of audio data based on POI information in the scene example shown in FIG. 3. It is a figure for demonstrating the relationship between the audio | voice production | generation total time and audio | voice output total time in the example of a scene shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a result of setting the processing order of POI information in the scene example illustrated in FIG. 3. It is a figure for demonstrating the other scene example of the process order setting process of step S104. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example technique for setting the processing order of audio data based on POI information in the scene example shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example technique for setting the processing order of audio data based on POI information in the scene example shown in FIG. 9. It is a figure for demonstrating the relationship of the audio | voice total generation time and audio | voice output total time in the example of a scene shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the relationship of the audio | voice total generation time and audio | voice output total time in the example of a scene shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the relationship of the audio | voice total generation time and audio | voice output total time in the example of a scene shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the relationship of the audio | voice total generation time and audio | voice output total time in the example of a scene shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a result of setting the processing order of POI information in the scene example illustrated in FIG. 9.

  Hereinafter, an information presentation system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an information presentation system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the information presentation system of this embodiment includes an in-vehicle device 100 mounted on a vehicle and an external server 200 that is installed outside the in-vehicle device 100 and can exchange information with the in-vehicle device 100. Composed.

  In the information presentation system according to the present embodiment, request information for requesting acquisition of POI information related to a spot such as a facility or sightseeing spot existing around the current position of the user is transmitted from the in-vehicle device 100 to the external server 200, and the external In the server 200, POI information regarding spots existing around the current position of the user is acquired in accordance with the request information transmitted from the in-vehicle device 100. The external server 200 sets the processing order of the voice data based on the acquired POI information so that the voice output stop time due to the generation of the voice data does not occur, and the POI information in which the processing order is set is set as the in-vehicle device. By transmitting to 100, the in-vehicle device 100 generates audio data according to the processing order based on the POI information, and presents the generated audio data to the user.

  First, the configuration of the in-vehicle device 100 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the in-vehicle device 100 includes a communication device 110, an input device 120, an in-vehicle device controller 130, a GPS unit 140, a speaker 150, and a display 160.

  The communication device 110 is connected to a network using a specific communication protocol, and request information for requesting the external server 200 to acquire the current position of the user and POI information transmitted from the in-vehicle device controller 130. Send. In addition, the communication device 110 receives a plurality of POI information corresponding to the request information from the external server 200 and transmits the received POI information to the in-vehicle device controller 130.

  The input device 120 is operated by a user and receives an input instruction from the user. The input device 120 may be, for example, a device that allows input by a user's manual operation such as a touch panel or a joystick arranged on a display screen, or input by a user's uttered voice such as a microphone. It may be a simple device. The input device 120 transmits an input instruction from the user to the in-vehicle device controller 130.

  The GPS unit 140 detects radio waves transmitted from a plurality of satellite communications (not shown), and acquires user position information. The acquired user location information is transmitted from the communication device 110 to the external server 200 via the in-vehicle device controller 130. The in-vehicle device controller 130 that acquired the user's position information from the GPS unit 140 corrects the user's current position based on the angle change information acquired from the gyro sensor (not shown) and the vehicle speed acquired from the vehicle speed sensor, and The user's location information may be transmitted to the external server 200.

  The speaker 150 outputs audio data based on the POI information transmitted from the in-vehicle device controller 130 to the user. The display 160 displays the POI information transmitted from the in-vehicle device controller 130 as text information on a screen included in the display 160. By presenting the POI information via the speaker 150 and the display 160, the user can be made aware of the POI information related to the spots existing around the current position of the user.

  The in-vehicle device controller 130 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores a program for generating and outputting audio data based on a plurality of POI information transmitted from the external server 200, and a program stored in the ROM. And a RAM (Random Access Memory) that stores POI information transmitted from the external server 200 or a user operation history and functions as an accessible storage device. . As an operation circuit, instead of or in addition to a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), etc. Can be used.

  The in-vehicle device controller 130 implements an acquisition function and a generation function by executing a program stored in the ROM by the CPU. Hereinafter, each function of the in-vehicle device controller 130 will be described.

  The acquisition function of the in-vehicle device controller 130 acquires a plurality of POI information transmitted from the external server 200 via the communication device 110 of the in-vehicle device 100.

  The generation function of the in-vehicle device controller 130 generates audio data based on each POI information transmitted from the external server 200. Specifically, the POI information includes text data for outputting the spot name and details by voice (hereinafter also referred to as voice output text data), and the voice output text included in the POI information. Using the data, voice data that is a digital signal for voice output is generated from text data for voice output included in the POI information by a known voice synthesis method such as a waveform connection method or HMM (Hidden Markov Model). The generated audio data is converted to an analog signal by a D / A converter (not shown) and then transmitted to the speaker 150.

  Next, the external server 200 will be described. The external server 200 is, for example, a web server that receives POI information acquisition request information transmitted from the in-vehicle device 100 using a communication protocol such as HTTP, and transmits POI information corresponding to the request information to the in-vehicle device 100. . Further, as will be described later, the external server 200 sets a processing order suitable for generating and outputting audio data for a plurality of POI information acquired from the database 230, and sets the POI information in which the processing order is set. It transmits to the vehicle equipment 100. Note that the communication protocol used by the external server 200 is not limited to HTTP, and a commonly used communication protocol can be used.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the external server 200 includes a communication device 210, a server controller 220, and a database 230. Hereinafter, each configuration of the external server 200 will be described.

  The communication device 210 receives the user location information and the POI information acquisition request information transmitted from the in-vehicle device 100 and transmits them to the server controller 220. In addition, the communication device 210 transmits POI information corresponding to the request information transmitted from the server controller 220 to the in-vehicle device 100.

  The database 230 stores a plurality of POI information. As described above, the POI information is information related to spots such as facilities and sightseeing spots, and includes the name of the spots and detailed information of the spots in addition to the position information of spots such as facilities and sightseeing spots. Further, as described above, the POI information includes text data for outputting the name and details of the spot by voice. This text data for voice output is also stored in the database 230.

  The server controller 220 includes a ROM, a CPU, and a RAM, like the in-vehicle device controller 130 of the in-vehicle device 100. In the ROM of the server controller 220, a plurality of POI information is acquired from the database 230 in accordance with the POI information acquisition request information transmitted from the in-vehicle device 100, and the processing order of the acquired plurality of POI information is set. The CPU of the server controller 220 realizes each function of an acquisition function, a generation time calculation function, an output time calculation function, and a setting function by executing the program stored in the ROM. . Hereinafter, each function with which the server controller 220 is provided is demonstrated.

  Based on the user's current location and POI information request information transmitted from the in-vehicle device 100, the server controller 220 obtains POI information related to spots such as facilities and tourist spots existing around the user's current location. Obtain from the database 230.

  The setting function of the server controller 220 sets a processing order for generating and outputting audio data based on a plurality of POI information acquired by the acquisition function. A method for setting the processing order by the setting function will be described later.

  The generation time calculation function of the server controller 220 calculates, for each POI information acquired by the acquisition function, a sound generation time that is a time required to generate sound data based on the POI information. Here, the data length of the text data for voice output included in the POI information (the number of bytes of text data for voice output) and the voice generation time have a certain correspondence relationship, and the text data for voice output The longer the data length, the longer the voice generation time. The generation time calculation function calculates the voice generation time of the POI information based on the data length of the text data for voice output included in the POI information.

  The output time calculation function of the server controller 220 calculates, for each POI information acquired by the acquisition function, an audio output time that is a time required for outputting audio data generated based on the POI information. Here, the data length of the text data for voice output included in the POI information and the voice output time required to output the voice data generated based on the POI information have a certain correspondence relationship. The longer the data length of the text data for voice output included in the information, the longer the voice output time. The output time calculation function calculates the voice output time of the POI information based on the data length of the text data for voice output included in the POI information.

  Next, the information presentation process of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing information presentation processing according to the present embodiment.

  In step S <b> 101, the in-vehicle device controller 130 of the in-vehicle device 100 determines whether there is POI information acquisition request information. When a user inputs a POI information acquisition request instruction via the input device 120 of the in-vehicle device 100, the POI information acquisition request information is transmitted from the input device 120 to the in-vehicle device controller 130. If the POI information acquisition request information is acquired by the in-vehicle device controller 130, it is determined that there is POI information acquisition request information, and the process proceeds to step S102. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no POI information acquisition request information, step S101 is repeated after a certain period of time, and it is determined again whether there is POI information acquisition request information.

  In step S <b> 102, POI information acquisition request information is transmitted from the in-vehicle device 100 to the external server 200 via the communication device 110. Further, when transmitting the POI information acquisition request information from the in-vehicle device 100 to the external server 200, the in-vehicle device controller 130 acquires the current position of the user from the GPS unit 140, and together with the POI information acquisition request information, the user Is transmitted to the external server 200.

  In step S103, the server controller 220 of the external server 200 acquires the user's current location and POI information request information transmitted from the in-vehicle device 100 via the communication device 210. Then, the acquisition function of the server controller 220 is based on the current position of the user transmitted from the in-vehicle device 100 and the POI information acquisition request information, and the current position of the user is selected from the plurality of POI information stored in the database 230. A predetermined number of POI information relating to spots existing in the vicinity of is acquired.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of spots existing around the current position of the user and POI information relating to these spots. In FIG. 3, each POI information regarding spots existing around the current position of the user is represented as POI information 1 to POI information 7 in order from the closest to the current position of the user. The number of bytes shown in FIG. 3 represents the data length (number of bytes) of the text data for voice output included in the POI information 1 to POI information 7. For example, when the number of POI information acquired by the acquisition function of the server controller 220 is set to “5”, the acquisition function is stored in the database 230 and the current position of the user transmitted from the in-vehicle device 100. Based on the position information of each POI information, five pieces of POI information close to the current position of the user, that is, POI information 1 to POI information 5 are acquired.

  In step S104, the server controller 220 sets the processing order of a predetermined number of POI information acquired from the database 230. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the contents of the processing order setting process in step S104. Hereinafter, the processing order setting processing in step S104 will be described with reference to FIG. In the following, a scene in which POI information 1 to POI information 5 relating to spots existing around the current position of the user shown in FIG. 3 is extracted will be described as an example.

  First, in step S201, POI information having the shortest voice generation time is selected from the POI information acquired from the database 230, and the selected POI information is used as POI information for generating and outputting voice data first. Is set. As described above, the data length of the text data for voice output included in the POI information and the voice generation time for generating the voice data based on the POI information have a certain correspondence relationship. The setting function of the server controller 220 determines that the POI information having the shortest data length of the text data for voice output is the POI information having the shortest voice generation time out of the predetermined number of acquired POI information. First, it is set as POI information to be generated and output.

  5 and 6 are diagrams for explaining an example technique for setting the processing order of audio data based on POI information in the scene example shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the horizontal axis represents the data length (number of bytes) of the text data for voice output included in each POI information, and the vertical axis represents the voice data based on the POI information. Represents the order of processing to be generated and output. Note that the processing order on the vertical axis indicates POI information that is generated and output earlier as the position is higher. Further, in each diagram shown in FIG. 5, the POI information for which the processing order is set is represented in black, and the POI information selected as the next candidate to be described later is represented by hatching. For example, in FIG. 5C, the POI information 4 indicates that the processing order is set, and the POI information 2 is selected as the next candidate.

  In step S103, when the POI information is acquired from the database 230, as shown in FIG. 5A, the POI information acquired from the database 230 is arranged in the order close to the current position of the user. In step S201, the POI information 4 that is the POI information having the smallest data length of the text data for voice output is selected from the POI information by the setting function, and voice data is first generated and output. Set as POI information. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5B, the POI information 4 is set as the POI information generated first, and after the POI information 4, the remaining POI information is arranged in the order close to the current position of the user. line up.

  Subsequently, in step S202, among the plurality of POI information acquired from the database 230 by the acquisition function, the POI information for which the processing order is not set is rearranged in descending order of the data length of the text data for voice output. For example, in the scene example shown in FIG. 3, the data length of the text data for voice output included in the POI information from POI information 1 to POI information 5 acquired from the database 230 is 700 bytes for POI information 1 and POI information. 2 is 900 bytes, POI information 3 is 800 bytes, POI information 4 is 500 bytes, and POI information 5 is 600 bytes. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5 (C), the setting function is the POI information 2 (900 bytes) in the descending order of the data length of the text data for voice output following the POI information 4 in which the processing order is set. , POI information 3 (800 bytes), POI information 1 (700 bytes), and POI information 5 (500 bytes).

  Next, in step S203, among the POI information for which the processing order is not set, the POI information having the longest voice generation time is the POI information for which voice data is generated next to the POI information for which the voice order has already been set. Selected as the next candidate. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 5C, among the POI information 1 to POI information 3 and POI information 5 in which the processing order is not set, POI information 2 that is POI information with the longest voice generation time is set as the next candidate. Selected. When selecting the POI information having the longest voice generation time, the POI information having the longest data length of the text data for voice output included in the POI information is selected as the POI information having the longest voice generation time. do it.

  In step S204, the generation time calculation function of the server controller 220 calculates the voice generation time of all POI information for which the processing order of the voice data is set and the voice generation time of the POI information selected as the next candidate. Then, the total voice generation time that is the total time of the voice generation times of all the POI information for which the calculated processing order is set and the voice generation time of the POI information selected as the next candidate is calculated.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the total voice generation time and the total voice output time in the scene example shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the generation time calculation function is based on the data length of the text data for voice output included in the POI information 4 in which the processing order is set and the POI information 2 selected as the next candidate. The voice generation time of the POI information 4 and the voice generation time of the POI information 2 are calculated, and the total time of the calculated voice generation time of the POI information 4 and the voice generation time of the POI information 2 is calculated as the voice generation total time. .

  In subsequent step S205, the output time calculation function of the server controller 220 calculates the sound output times of all the POI information for which the processing order of the sound data has already been set, and all the POIs for which the processing order has already been set. The total time of the voice output time of the information and the voice generation time of the POI information to be output is calculated as the voice output total time firstly calculated by the generation time calculation function.

  For example, in the scene example shown in FIG. 3, as shown in FIG. 7, the POI information whose processing order has already been set based on the data length of the text data for audio output included in the POI information 2 and the POI information 4 4 and the voice generation time of the POI information 4 that is first generated and output, and the calculated voice output time of the POI information 4 and the voice generation time of the POI information 4 are calculated. The total audio output time, which is the total time, is calculated.

  In step S206, the setting function of the server controller 220 compares the total voice generation time calculated in step S204 with the total voice output time calculated in step S205, and the total voice output time is shorter than the total voice generation time. It is judged whether it is long. That is, it is determined whether or not the sound data based on the POI information selected as the next candidate can be generated before the sound output of the sound data based on the POI information whose processing order has already been set ends. When it is determined that the total voice output time is longer than the total voice generation time, the process proceeds to step S207. On the other hand, when it is determined that the total voice output time is equal to or less than the total voice generation time, the process proceeds to step S209.

  In the scene example shown in FIG. 3, as shown in FIG. 7, the voice generation time of the POI information 4 that is first generated and output, the voice output time of the POI information 4 for which the processing order has already been set, The total voice output time is the total voice generation time which is the total time of the voice generation time of the POI information 4 whose processing order has already been set and the voice generation time of the POI information 2 selected as the next candidate. Since it is long, the process proceeds to step S207.

  In step S207, the processing function of the POI information selected as the next candidate is set by the setting function of the server controller 220. Specifically, the processing order of the POI information selected as the next candidate is set next to the POI information for which the processing order has already been set. As a result, the audio data based on the POI information selected as the next candidate is generated and output following the POI information whose processing order has already been set. In the scene example shown in FIG. 3, as shown in FIG. 7, the voice generation time of the POI information 4 that is first generated and output, the voice output time of the POI information 4 for which the processing order has already been set, The total voice output time is the total time of the voice generation time of the POI information 4 whose processing order has already been set and the voice generation time of the POI information 2 selected as the next candidate. As shown in FIG. 5 (C), the processing order of the POI information 2 selected as the next candidate is POI information whose processing order has already been set as shown in FIG. 6 (A). 4 is set next.

  In step S208, it is determined by the setting function of the server controller 220 whether the processing order has been set for all POI information. If the processing order has not been set for all POI information, the process proceeds to step S209. On the other hand, if the processing order has been set for all POI information, the processing order setting process in step S104 ends.

  In the example of the scene shown in FIG. 3, the processing order is set for POI information 4 and POI information 2 out of POI information 1 to POI information 5 acquired from the database 230 at the time shown in FIG. No processing order is set for POI information 3, POI information 1, and POI information 5. Therefore, in step S208, it is determined that the processing order of all POI information is not set, and the process proceeds to step S209.

  In step S209, POI information with the longest voice generation time is selected as the next candidate among the POI information for which the processing order is not set. In the scene example shown in FIG. 3, as shown in FIG. 6A, after the processing order of POI information 2 is set, voice generation is performed among POI information 1 to POI information 3 in which the processing order is not set. The POI information 3 with the longest time is set as a new next candidate.

  After the POI information having the longest voice generation time is selected as the next candidate among the POI information for which the processing order is not set in step S209, the process returns to step S204 as shown in FIG. Based on the selected POI information, the processing from step S204 to step S206 is performed. Here, FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a result of setting the processing order of POI information in the example of the scene illustrated in FIG. In the scene example shown in FIG. 3, as shown in FIG. 8, even when the POI information 3 is newly set as the next candidate, the voice generation time and the processing order of the POI information 4 generated first in the voice data are already set. The total voice output time, which is the total time of the POI information 4 and the POI information 2 that have been output, is selected as the voice generation time and the next candidate of the POI information 4 and POI information 2 for which the processing order has already been set. As shown in FIG. 6B, the processing order of the POI information 3 is already set as the processing order of the POI information 3. It is set next to information 4 and POI information 2.

  Further, the processing from step S204 to step S206 is performed again with POI information 1 as the next candidate, and the processing order is set for POI information 1 as well as POI information 3, and finally FIG. As in (C), the processing order of POI information is set. In this way, in the example of the scene shown in FIG. 3, as shown in FIG. 8, the POI information acquired from the database 230 is processed as POI information 4, POI information 2, POI information 3, POI information 1, and POI information 5. Set to order. By setting the processing order in this way, it can be seen that there is no waiting time for voice output due to the generation of voice data when voice data is generated and output based on these POI information.

  Next, the processing order setting process in the scene example shown in FIG. 9 will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining another example of the process order setting process. In the scene example shown in FIG. 9, in step S103, the POI information 11 to POI information 17 related to spots existing around the current position of the user, among the POI information 11 to POI information 17 related to the spot existing around the current position of the user, is acquired in step S103. Information 11 to POI information 15 is acquired from the database 230.

  10 and 11 are diagrams for explaining an example technique for setting the processing order of audio data based on POI information in the scene example shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, as in FIG. 5, the horizontal axis represents the data length (number of bytes) of the text data for audio output included in each POI information, and the vertical axis represents This represents the order in which audio data based on POI information is generated and output. In FIGS. 10 and 11, the POI information for which the processing order is set is represented in black, and the POI information selected as the next candidate is represented by hatching. For example, in FIG. 10B, the POI information 14 indicates that the processing order is set, and the POI information 12 is selected as the next candidate. When POI information is acquired from the database 230 in step S103, as shown in FIG. 10A, the POI information 11 to POI information 15 are arranged in the order close to the current position of the user.

  10B, among these POI information 11 to POI information 15, POI information having the shortest voice generation time, that is, POI information having the shortest data length of voice output text data. The information 14 is first set as POI information to be generated and output as voice data (step S201). Subsequently, the POI information for which the processing order is not set is in descending order of the data length of the text data for voice output. The POI information 12 that is the POI information with the longest voice generation time is set as the next candidate among the POI information that has been rearranged (step S202) and the processing order is not set (step S203).

  FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the total voice generation time and the total voice output time in the scene example shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10B, when the processing order is set for the POI information 14 and the POI information 12 is set as the next candidate, the voice generation time of the POI information 14 and the POI information are shown in FIG. The total voice output time that is the total time of the voice output time of 14 and the total voice generation time that is the total time of the voice generation time of the POI information 14 and the voice generation time of the POI information 12 are calculated (step S204). Step S205). Then, the calculated total voice output time is compared with the total voice generation time, and it is determined whether the total voice output time is longer than the total voice generation time (step S206). Here, as shown in FIG. 12, since the total audio output time is shorter than the total audio generation time (step S206 = NO), the process proceeds to step S210 unlike the scene example shown in FIG.

  In step S210, it is determined by the setting function of the server controller 220 whether all POI information for which the processing order is not set has been selected as the next candidate. If all the POI information for which the processing order is not set is selected as the next candidate, it is determined that there is no POI information satisfying the condition of step S206 in the POI information for which the processing order is not set. If it is determined that all the POI information for which the processing order is not set is selected as the next candidate, the process proceeds to step S211, while the POI information for which the processing order is not set is selected as the next candidate. If it is determined that there is not POI information, the process proceeds to step S212.

  In the scene example shown in FIG. 9, at the time shown in FIG. 10B, the POI information selected as the next candidate among the POI information for which the processing order is not set is only the POI information 12. It is determined that there is POI information that is not selected as the next candidate in the POI information for which is not set, and the process proceeds to step S212.

  In step S212, among the POI information for which the processing order is not set, POI information having the longest voice generation time after the POI information currently selected as the next candidate is selected as a new next candidate. In the scene example shown in FIG. 9, as shown in FIG. 10B, POI information 12 is selected as the next candidate. Therefore, in step S212, as shown in FIG. 10C, POI information 13 having the longest voice generation time after POI information 12 currently selected as the next candidate is set as a new next candidate.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 4, after the process of step S212, the process returns to step S204 again. Therefore, in the scene example shown in FIG. 9, the processing from step S204 to step S206 is performed again with the POI information 13 selected as the next candidate, as shown in FIG. 10C. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the voice generation time and the voice output time when the POI information 11, the POI information 13, and the POI information 15 are the next candidates in the scene example shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, even when the POI information 13 is selected as the next candidate, the total audio output time that is the total time of the audio generation time of the POI information 14 and the audio output time of the POI information 14 is The total voice generation time 1 which is the total time of the voice generation time of the POI information 14 and the voice generation time of the POI information 13 selected as the next candidate is shorter (step S206 = NO).

  Therefore, among the POI information for which the processing order is not set, the POI information 11 having the longest voice generation time after the POI information 13 selected as the next candidate is selected as a new next candidate (step S212). However, as shown in FIG. 13, even when the POI information 11 is selected as the next candidate, the audio output total that is the total time of the audio generation time of the POI information 14 and the audio output time of the POI information 14 The time is shorter than the total voice generation time 2 that is the total time of the voice generation time of the POI information 14 and the voice generation time of the POI information 11 selected as the next candidate (step S206 = NO). Therefore, among the POI information for which the processing order is not set, the POI information 15 having the longest voice generation time after the POI information 11 selected as the next candidate is selected as a new next candidate (step S212). ).

  As shown in FIG. 13, when the POI information 15 is selected as the next candidate, the total voice output time, which is the total time of the voice generation time of the POI information 14 and the voice output time of the POI information 14, is POI. It is longer than the total voice generation time 3, which is the total time of the voice generation time of the information 14 and the voice generation time of the POI information 15 selected as the next candidate. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S207, and the processing order of the POI information 15 selected as the next candidate is set. That is, as shown in FIG. 11A, the processing order of the POI information 15 is set next to the POI information 14.

  After the processing order of the POI information 15 is set in step S207, the process proceeds to step S208, and it is determined whether the processing order has been set for all POI information. In the scene example shown in FIG. 9, at the time shown in FIG. 11A, the processing order is not yet set for the POI information 12, the POI information 13, and the POI information 11, and thus the process proceeds to step S209. Of the POI information for which the order is not set, the POI information 12 having the longest voice generation time is set as the next candidate.

  As shown in FIG. 14, when the POI information 12 is selected as the next candidate, the voice generation time of the POI information 14 that is first generated and outputted, and the POI information for which the processing order has already been set 14 and the POI information 15 is the sum of the voice output times of the POI information 14 and the POI information 15 for which the processing order has already been set and the POI information 12 selected as the next candidate. It is shorter than the total voice generation time 4, which is the total time with the voice generation time (step S206 = NO). Therefore, among the POI information for which the processing order is not set, the POI information 13 having the longest voice generation time after the POI information 12 selected as the next candidate is selected as a new next candidate (step S212).

  However, as shown in FIG. 14, even when the next candidate is the POI information 13, the voice data is first generated and the voice generation time of the output POI information 14 and the processing order are already set. The total voice output time that is the total voice output time of the POI information 14 and the POI information 15 is the voice generation time of the POI information 14 and the POI information 15 for which the processing order has already been set and the POI information selected as the next candidate. It is shorter than the total voice generation time 5, which is the total time of 13 voice generation times (step S206 = NO). Therefore, among the POI information for which the processing order is not set, the POI information 11 having the longest voice generation time after the POI information 13 selected as the next candidate is selected as a new next candidate (step S212).

  However, even when the POI information 11 is selected as the next candidate, the voice data is first generated and output as in the case where the POI information 12 or the POI information 13 is selected as the next candidate. The voice output total time which is the total time of the voice generation time of the POI information 14 and the voice output time of the POI information 14 and the POI information 15 for which the processing order has already been set is the POI information 14 for which the processing order has already been set. And the voice generation total time 6 which is the total time of the voice generation time of the POI information 15 and the voice generation time of the POI information 11 selected as the next candidate (step S206 = NO). Therefore, the process proceeds to step S210 as shown in FIG. Here, since the POI information 11 is selected as the next candidate, the next candidate is selected for all the POI information for which the processing order is not set. Therefore, in step S210, the processing order is not set. It is determined that all POI information has been selected as the next candidate, and the process proceeds to step S211.

  In step S211, the setting function sets the processing order of the POI information having the shortest voice generation time among the POI information for which the processing order is not set, next to the POI information for which the processing order has already been set. For example, in the scene example shown in FIG. 9, as shown in FIG. 11A, the processing order of the POI information 11 that is the POI information with the shortest voice generation time among the POI information for which the processing order is not set is As shown in FIG. 11B, it is set next to the POI information 14 and the POI information 15 for which the processing order has already been set.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the total voice generation time and the total voice output time in the scene example shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 11B, after the processing order of the POI information 11 is set, the POI information 12 with the longest voice generation time is set as the next candidate among the POI information for which the processing order is not set. (Step S209). In step 206, the voice generation time of the POI information 14 that is first generated and output, and the voice output time of the POI information 14, the POI information 15, and the POI information 11 for which the processing order has already been set. And the voice generation time of the POI information 14, the POI information 15, and the POI information 12 for which the processing order has already been set, and the voice generation of the POI information 12 selected as the next candidate The total voice generation time, which is the total time with the time, is compared to determine whether the total voice output time is longer than the total voice generation time.

  Here, in the scene example shown in FIG. 9, after the processing order of the POI information 15 is set, the POI information satisfying the relationship of step S206 is included in the POI information 11 to POI information 13 selected as the next candidate. Since it does not exist, after the audio data based on the POI information 15 is output, the time from the end of the audio data based on the POI information 15 to the generation of the audio data of the POI information 11 generated next to the POI information 15 is output. Occurs as stop time. Thus, when the output stop time occurs, the audio output total time is calculated in consideration of the output stop time. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 15, voice data is first generated and the voice generation time of the POI information 14 to be output and the voice output of the POI information 14, the POI information 15, and the POI information 11 whose processing order has already been set. The total time of the time and the output stop time is calculated as the total audio output time.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the voice generation time of the POI information 14 that is first generated and output, the voice output time of the POI information 14, the POI information 15, and the POI information 12 for which the processing order has already been set, The voice output total time, which is the total time of the output stop time, is the voice generation time of the POI information 14, POI information 15, POI information 11 for which the processing order has already been set, and the POI information 12 selected as the next candidate. Since it is longer than the total voice generation time, which is the total time with the voice generation time (step S206 = YES), the process proceeds to step S207, and the processing order of the POI information 12 is set. As for the remaining POI information 13, the processing order is set similarly to the POI information 12. As a result, in step S208, it is determined that the processing order has been set for all the POI information, and the processing order setting process ends.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a result of setting the processing order of POI information in the example of the scene illustrated in FIG. The server controller 220 acquires the POI information shown in FIG. 9 from the database 230, and sets the processing order as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 16, in the example of the scene shown in FIG. 9, there is no POI information that satisfies the relationship of step S <b> 206, and an output stop time occurs when the audio output is temporarily stopped due to the generation of the audio data. By setting the processing order of the POI information with the shortest voice generation time among the POI information for which the processing order is not set next to the POI information for which the processing order has already been set, it is possible to prevent the output stop time from increasing.

  As described above, the processing order setting process in step S104 is performed.

  Subsequently, returning to FIG. 2, in step S105, the POI information whose processing order is set in step S104 is transmitted from the external server 200 to the in-vehicle device 100. The acquisition function of the in-vehicle device controller 130 of the in-vehicle device 100 acquires a plurality of POI information transmitted from the external server 200 via the communication device 110 of the in-vehicle device 100.

  In step S106, the generation function of the in-vehicle device controller 130 generates voice data based on the text data for voice output included in the POI information in accordance with the processing order of the POI information set in step S104. Audio data based on information is continuously generated.

  In step S107, the voice data based on the POI information generated in step S106 is transmitted from the in-vehicle device controller 130 to the speaker 150 in accordance with the processing order of the POI information set in step S104. The voice data based is output to the user as voice. The in-vehicle device controller 130 transmits the POI information acquired from the external server 200 to the display 160, and displays the POI information on the screen of the display 160. Note that the process of step S107 is performed in parallel with step S106. That is, in step S106, voice data based on POI information is continuously generated according to the POI information processing order, and in step S107, the generated voice data is continuously output as voice according to the POI information processing order. To do.

  In step S108, it is determined whether audio output of audio data based on all POI information has been performed. If it is determined that the voice output based on all the POI information is not performed, the process returns to step S106, and the generation of the voice data based on the POI information and the voice output of the voice data generated based on the POI information are continued. Is done. On the other hand, when it is determined that the voice output of the voice data based on all the POI information has been performed, the information presentation process of the present embodiment is terminated.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the total voice generation is the total time of the voice generation time of all the POI information for which the processing order has already been set and the voice generation time of the POI information selected as the next candidate. Total audio output time, which is the total time of the time and the audio output time of all POI information for which the audio data processing order has already been set and the audio generation time of the POI information that is first generated and output To determine whether the total audio output time is longer than the total audio generation time. That is, before the voice output of the voice data based on the POI information for which the processing order has already been set ends, it is determined whether the voice data can be generated based on the POI information selected as the next candidate. If the total voice output time is longer than the total voice generation time, the processing order of the POI information selected as the next candidate is set next to the POI information whose processing order has already been set. Thereby, before the voice output of the voice data already generated based on the POI information is finished, the generation of the voice data to be outputted next can be finished, and the voice output is stopped by the generation of the voice data. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of waiting time of the user effectively.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, among the plurality of POI information acquired from the database 230, POI information having the shortest voice generation time is set as POI information for generating and outputting voice data first. Until the first audio data is generated, the audio output is not started at all. Therefore, the time until the first audio data is generated becomes the waiting time of the user. Therefore, in this embodiment, the POI information for generating and outputting voice data first is the POI information having the shortest voice generation time, thereby shortening the time until voice output is started. It is possible to effectively prevent an increase in the waiting time of the user.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, if there is no POI information satisfying the relationship of step S206 in the POI information for which the processing order is not set, among the POI information for which the processing order is not set, the voice The processing order of the POI information with the shortest generation time is set next to the POI information for which the processing order has already been set. For example, as shown in FIG. 15 or FIG. 16, if there is no POI information that can generate voice data before the voice output of voice data based on the POI information for which the processing order has already been set, the processing order is changed. After the voice data is output based on the POI information that has already been set, the output stop time occurs when the voice output is temporarily stopped due to the generation of the voice data until the next voice data to be output is generated. End up. However, increasing the output stop time is effective by setting the processing order of the POI information with the shortest voice generation time among the POI information for which the processing order is not set next to the POI information for which the processing order has already been set. Can be prevented.

  The embodiment described above is described for facilitating understanding of the present invention, and is not described for limiting the present invention. Therefore, each element disclosed in the above embodiment is intended to include all design changes and equivalents belonging to the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the present embodiment, the in-vehicle device 100 communicates with the external server 200 to acquire the POI information in which the processing order is set. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the in-vehicle device 100 includes the external server It is good also as a structure which refers to the database with which the vehicle equipment 100 is provided, without communicating with 200, acquires POI information, and performs the process which sets the processing order of POI information with the controller 130 for vehicle equipment of the vehicle equipment 100. . Alternatively, the in-vehicle device 100 may receive POI information for which the processing order is not set from the external server 200, and the in-vehicle device controller 130 of the in-vehicle device 100 may set the processing order of the received POI information.

  Furthermore, the POI information processing order is set by the server controller 220 of the external server 200, and the in-vehicle device 100 converts the POI information whose processing order is set by the server controller 220 to the external server at the timing when the processing order is set. The configuration may be such that the files are sequentially downloaded from 200. In this case, the voice generation time is a total time of the time for downloading the POI information for which the processing order is set from the external controller 200 and the time required for generating the voice data based on the acquired POI information. It is preferable to calculate.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an example of setting the processing order of audio data based on POI information has been described. However, the information for which the processing order is set is not limited to POI information, for example, information such as news and mail. Also good.

  In this embodiment, when the total voice output time is longer than the total voice generation time (step S206 = YES), the POI information selected as the next candidate is changed to the next POI information for which voice data has already been generated. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the total voice output time is shorter than the total voice generation time by a predetermined time, the POI information selected as the next candidate is set as the POI information. Alternatively, it may be set as POI information to be output as a voice next to the POI information for which voice data has already been generated. Even if the total audio output time is shorter than the total audio generation time, if the difference between the total audio output time and the total audio generation time is small, the user does not recognize the waiting time that has occurred or has waited for it to occur. This is because it is assumed that there will be no discomfort due to time.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the POI information is arranged in descending order of the data length of the text data for voice output in step S202 and the relationship in step S206 is not satisfied, it is selected as the next candidate in step S212. The POI information having the longest voice generation time after the POI information is selected as a new next candidate. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in step S202, the POI information is sorted in order from the current position of the user. If not, the POI information related to the spot that is located next to the current position of the user next to the POI information selected as the next candidate is set as a new next candidate in step S212. You may choose.

  Note that the acquisition function of the server controller 220 of the external server 200 of the above-described embodiment is the same as the acquisition means of the present invention, the generation time calculation function of the server controller 220 is the same as the generation time calculation means of the present invention, and the output of the server controller 220 is also the same. The time calculation function is in the voice output time calculation means of the present invention, the setting function of the server controller 220 is in the setting means of the present invention, and the generation function of the in-vehicle device controller 130 of the in-vehicle device 100 is in the in-vehicle apparatus. The speaker 150 of the apparatus 100 corresponds to the output means of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... In-vehicle apparatus 110 ... Communication apparatus 120 ... Input apparatus 130 ... In-vehicle apparatus controller 140 ... GPS unit 150 ... Speaker 160 ... Display 200 ... External server 210 ... Communication apparatus 220 ... Server controller 230 ... Database

Claims (11)

Obtaining means for obtaining a plurality of information to be presented to the user;
Generation time calculating means for calculating a generation time which is a time required for generating the voice data from the information;
Voice output time calculating means for calculating a voice output time which is a time required for voice output of the voice data generated based on the information;
Based on the voice output time calculated by the voice output time calculation means and the generation time calculated by the generation time calculation means, the voice data is sequentially generated from the information, and the generated voice data An information presentation system having setting means for setting a processing order for sequentially outputting
When setting the processing order, the setting means sets the information that can generate the audio data before the generation and output of the audio data for the information for which the processing order has already been set is completed. An information presentation system characterized in that audio data is generated following information whose order has already been set and set as information for output. The information presentation system according to claim 1,
When the setting means sets the processing order, there is a plurality of pieces of information that can generate the audio data before the generation and output of the audio data for the information for which the processing order has already been set is completed. The information having the longest generation time among a plurality of pieces of information capable of generating the audio data is set as information for generating and outputting the audio data following the information for which the processing order has already been set. Characteristic information presentation system. The information presentation system according to claim 1 or 2,
The setting means, when setting the processing order, if there is no information for which the processing order has already been set, from the plurality of information, the information having the shortest generation time, first generating voice data, An information presentation system characterized by being set as information for output. The information presentation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
When the setting means sets the processing order, there is no information that can generate the voice data before the generation and output of the voice data for the information for which the processing order has already been set is completed. The information presenting system is characterized in that the information with the shortest generation time is set as information for generating and outputting audio data following the information for which the processing order has already been set. An information presentation system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The voice output time calculating means extracts text information for voice output from the information, and calculates the voice output time based on an information amount of the extracted text information for voice output. Presentation system. An information presentation system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The information presentation system, wherein the generation time calculation means calculates the generation time based on an information amount of the extracted text information for voice output. The information presentation system according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
An information presentation system, further comprising: generating means for generating the audio data based on the information in accordance with the processing order set by the setting means. The information presentation system according to claim 7,
The information presentation system further comprising: an output unit that outputs the voice data generated by the generation unit according to the processing order set by the setting unit. The information presentation system according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
Information obtained by the obtaining means includes at least POI (Point Of Interest) information. The information presentation system according to claim 9,
The POI information includes at least a spot name and details of the spot as text information. An information presentation method for acquiring a plurality of information, sequentially generating audio data based on the acquired information, and setting a processing order for sequentially outputting the generated audio data,
When setting the processing order, the processing order is already set for information that can generate the audio data before the generation and output of the audio data for the information for which the processing order has already been set is completed. A method of presenting information, characterized in that audio data is generated following the information and set as information for output.

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