JP2014038188A - Vehicle voice control device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system in which without breaking a system of voice changeover in a fundamental function part of a vehicle system, appropriate voice changeover to outer applications being newly developed can be performed.SOLUTION: When an external application is activated at an external control device 20, an output control part 26 refers to attribute information of the external application stored in a management file in a storage area 24. Then, the output control part 26 transmits a start trigger of the external application and a priority of the external application acquired from the attribute information from the management file to the control device 10. In the control device 10, when receiving it, a voice management part 13 compares a priority of a dedicated application in a voice-output capable state in the control device 10 with the priority of the external application which is notified from the output control part 26 of the external control device 20. As a result of the comparison, the voice management part 13 performs control of changing over to voice output executed by an application having a higher priority.

Description

  The present invention relates to a sound control device for a vehicle that controls sound output by an external application and a dedicated application that operate on a vehicle-mounted device.

  In a vehicle system such as a vehicle navigation device, in addition to a dedicated application that has been implemented from the beginning as a basic function, it has a mechanism that allows an application created externally (hereinafter referred to as an external application) to be implemented later. There is. The external application here refers to a general-purpose application that is not originally implemented in the system and can be developed by an external developer, and can be downloaded from a cloud computing or the like via communication.

  In such a system, appropriate audio output switching control is necessary to avoid contention of audio output between a dedicated application as a basic function and an external application. For example, “traffic information”, “guidance voice”, “warning sound by clearance sonar”, etc. in the navigation device for vehicles are important voice information, and may be output without being obstructed by the voice of the external application. desirable. However, there may be a case where an external application has a function of outputting voice information more important than the above. In such a case, if the voice output is switched according to a unique rule, there is a possibility that information having high importance for the user cannot be heard.

  On the other hand, a mechanism for performing voice switching between a plurality of applications according to a specific rule is applied to an existing navigation device. For example, a vehicle navigation system that provides information by taking in a specific application from the outside using a dedicated wireless device (for example, DCM: Data Communication Module) or a mobile phone terminal, and performing display or sound output by the application. An apparatus has been developed (see Non-Patent Document 1).

“G-BOOK.com”, [online], Toyota Media Service Co., Ltd. [searched on June 18, 2012], Internet <URL: http://g-book.com/pc/default.asp>

  However, the conventional technology is premised on the cooperation with the application developed exclusively for the operation requirements of the vehicle navigation device, and the cooperation with the versatile external application developed later is considered. Not. Therefore, in the conventional vehicle navigation apparatus, voice switching is performed between a plurality of applications based on a unique rule based on the cooperation with a dedicated application.

  On the other hand, external applications are uniquely developed by various vendors and are not conscious of the operational requirements of the introduced vehicle system due to the nature that users can freely introduce them. Due to such circumstances, when various external applications are introduced in a system that performs voice switching of applications based on a unique rule, such as a conventional vehicle navigation device, the following inconvenience may occur. There is.

  (1) The case where the dedicated application and the external application are controlled to simply mix both audio outputs. For example, assume a situation in which an event for outputting a time alarm sound by a scheduler function, which is an external application, occurs during a voice call using a hands-free telephone function, which is a dedicated application. In such a situation, there is an inconvenience that the alarm sound is confused with the call voice and it is difficult to hear the call voice.

  (2) When the voice output by the dedicated application is uniquely switched to the subsequent voice output by the external application. For example, assume a situation in which an event for outputting a time alarm sound by a scheduler function, which is an external application, occurs in the middle of outputting route guidance sound by a navigation function, which is a dedicated application. In such a situation, since the voice is switched during the route guidance, the user may miss the guidance point.

  Alternatively, there may be a case where a calendar function (no audio output), which is an external application, is activated while music playback sound is output by the audio function, which is a dedicated application. In this case, the sound output is switched to an external application that does not have sound output, and the user becomes silent, and the user cannot listen to the music. In such a case, it is desirable from the viewpoint of the user that the music reproduction sound by the audio function remains output even if the calendar function is activated.

  (3) When the user selects audio output when starting an external application. For example, when a new external application is activated during the audio output by the dedicated application, it may be possible to inquire the user whether or not the audio output can be switched to the external application. However, from the viewpoint of convenience for the user, it is desirable that the voice switching control be performed without a sense of incongruity without the need for operation.

  As mentioned above, the unique rules for voice switching that have been applied in the prior art did not take into account later-developed applications, so when adding external applications, the operational requirements of the capture destination It was necessary to rewrite the software individually considering this. However, such a mechanism requires a lot of development resources and is not realistic. Therefore, there is a need for a mechanism that can perform appropriate voice switching for a newly developed external application without breaking the voice switching mechanism of the basic functional part of the vehicle system.

  The present invention solves the above problems.

  In order to achieve the above object, a vehicle voice control apparatus according to the present invention includes storage means, output control means, and voice management means. The storage means stores priority information indicating the priority of audio output for each installed external application. The output control means outputs a voice output start request related to the external application having the highest priority indicated by the priority information stored in the storage means among one or a plurality of external applications satisfying a predetermined voice output start condition. Notify the voice management means. The voice management means determines the priority of the voice output corresponding to the external application related to the output start request notified from the output control means, and the priority of the voice output defined for the dedicated application that satisfies a predetermined voice output condition. As a result of the comparison, the voice of the application with the higher priority is output from the voice output means provided in the vehicle.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to dynamically switch audio output between a plurality of applications in accordance with the priority of audio output individually held for each installed external application. Here, it is conceivable that the priority of audio output is determined by reflecting properties such as the importance of audio information provided by an external application. Due to such a mechanism, in the present invention, when installing an external application, it is not necessary to individually modify the software according to the operation requirements of the installation destination, and dynamic voice switching according to the nature of the external application is performed. Can be implemented.

(A) The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the navigation system for vehicles. (B) The block diagram which shows schematic structure of a software system. Explanatory drawing which shows the content of the management file. The sequence diagram which shows the procedure of the process by the navigation system for vehicles. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the process by an attribute information management part. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the process by an output control part. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the process by a voice management part. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the state transition of an audio | voice output. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the state transition of an audio | voice output. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the state transition of an audio | voice output. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the process by an audio | voice control part.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited to the following embodiment at all, and can be implemented in various aspects.
[Description of Configuration of Vehicle Navigation System 1]
A vehicle navigation system 1 according to the present embodiment is a navigation system mounted on a vehicle. As shown in FIG. 1A, a control device 10, an external control device 20, an audio output unit 30, and a display unit. 40.

  The control device 10 is an information processing device configured with a CPU 11, a memory 12, and the like as a center. The control device 10 includes a mechanism for operating a dedicated application as a block that controls the basic functions of the vehicle navigation system 1, and performs video and audio output control. The CPU 11 is an arithmetic processing device that controls each component configuration of the control device 10 according to a program. The CPU 11 executes processing based on a dedicated application program read from the memory 12. The dedicated application is an application implemented from the beginning as a basic function of the vehicle navigation system 1. Examples of the dedicated application executed by the CPU 11 include a navigation function, an audio function, and a hands-free telephone function. The dedicated application illustrated here is only an example, and other dedicated applications may be mounted.

  The navigation function is an application that performs route guidance for vehicles, and executes map display, route search, route guidance, and the like. The map display is a function for displaying a map near the current location, a mark indicating the current location of the vehicle, and the like. The route search is a function for automatically calculating the optimum route from the current location to the destination. The route guidance is a function for performing travel guidance along the route obtained by the route search described above. An image by the navigation function is displayed on the display unit 40 through the display control unit 15. The travel guidance is also used with the output of the guide voice. The guide voice is output from the voice output unit 30 through the voice control unit 14.

  The audio function is an application that outputs various video and audio based on various video and audio sources such as a TV tuner, a CD drive, a DVD drive, a digital audio player, and a radio tuner. As an audio-related function, among a plurality of selectable video / audio sources, video and audio based on video / audio signals from a video / audio source designated by the user are displayed by the display unit 40 and the audio output unit 30. Output.

  The hands-free telephone function is an application that provides a hands-free telephone call function in a car using a mobile telephone. This hands-free telephone function displays a screen for notifying the driver of an incoming call when an incoming call is received from the outside. The incoming voice by the hands-free telephone function is output from the voice output unit 30 through the voice control unit 14. Further, the image by the hands-free telephone function is displayed on the display unit 40 through the display control unit 15.

  The memory 12 is a storage device embodied by a hard disk drive, a rewritable nonvolatile semiconductor memory, or the like. The memory 12 stores various data such as a system program executed by the CPU 11 for operating the control device 10 and application programs. Programs for dedicated applications such as the navigation function, audio function, and hands-free telephone function described above are also stored here.

  The voice management unit 13 has a functional configuration that performs voice output arbitration that determines whether to output voice from a dedicated application executed by the control device 10 or voice from an external application executed by the external control device 20. is there. The voice management unit 13, according to the comparison result between the priority in the dedicated application that is in a state in which voice output is possible in the control device 10 and the priority indicated by the attribute information of the external application notified from the external control device 20 Performs audio output switching control.

  The audio control unit 14 is an audio output interface unit that outputs an audio output signal based on audio data instructed by the audio management unit 13 to the audio output unit 30 and outputs audio. The display control unit 15 is a display output interface unit that outputs a display output signal from each application to the display unit 40 and displays an image.

  The external control device 20 is an information processing device configured with a CPU 21 and a memory 22 as the center. The external control device 20 includes a mechanism for operating an external application as a block that controls an extended function in the vehicle navigation system 1.

  The CPU 21 is an arithmetic processing device that controls each component configuration of the external control device 20 according to a program. The CPU 21 executes processing based on the external application program read from the memory 22. The external application is not originally implemented in the vehicle navigation system 1 and is assumed to be a general-purpose application or the like that is introduced through data communication from a server group that constitutes cloud computing centered on the Internet as desired by the user. Is done. Such external applications enable mutual use of information and user interfaces in a wide range of fields in cooperation with cloud computing and high-function mobile terminals such as smartphones. Each of these general-purpose applications provides audio information and image information that are not limited to vehicle driving but rich in diversity. Audio information and image information from the general-purpose application are output from the audio output unit 30 and the display unit 40 through the control device 10.

  The memory 22 is a storage device embodied by a hard disk drive, a rewritable nonvolatile semiconductor memory, or the like. The memory 22 stores various data such as a system program executed by the CPU 21 to operate the external control device 20 and an external application program introduced from the outside.

  The attribute information management unit 23 has a functional configuration that manages attribute information related to the audio output method of the external application installed in the memory 22. The attribute information management unit 23 records attribute information related to the audio output method of the external application in a management file stored in the storage area 24 when the external application is installed. Further, the attribute information management unit 23 deletes the attribute information of the external application from the management file in the storage area 24 when the external application is uninstalled. The storage area 24 is a storage area for storing a management file in which attribute information regarding all external applications installed in the memory 22 is recorded together.

Here, the detailed contents of the attribute information of the external application will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, it is assumed that among the external applications A, B, and C installed in the memory 22, the data of the external application A includes attribute information A that defines the audio output method. The attribute information A is added in advance by the developer of the external application A, and is installed in the memory 22 together with the program of the external application A. On the other hand, it is assumed that attribute information is not attached to the external applications B and C in the memory 22.

  In the management file in the storage area 24, attribute information A, B, and C related to the external applications A, B, and C installed in the memory 22 is recorded. Among these, the attribute information A is read from the data of the external application A installed in the memory 22 by the attribute information management unit 23 and recorded in the management file. On the other hand, the attribute information B and C corresponding to the external applications B and C to which no attribute information is added are uniquely defined by the attribute information management unit 23 as predetermined values.

  The attribute information of each external application includes information items such as “audio output”, “output method”, “priority”, “audio output start condition”, and “audio output end condition”. In the information item “sound output”, information indicating whether or not the external application performs sound output is described. In the “output method” information item, information indicating whether the audio output of another application is to be excluded or mixed with the audio output of the other application is described. In the “priority” information item, information indicating the priority of audio output defined according to the importance of audio information output by the external application is described.

  The information item “sound output start condition” describes information indicating a condition for determining that the external application has started sound output. Specific start conditions include starting an external application, starting audio output during operation, and the like. In the information item “sound output end condition”, information indicating a condition for determining that the external application has ended the sound output is described. Specific termination conditions include termination of an external application, termination of audio output during operation, and the like. These start conditions and end conditions can be freely defined according to the specifications and operation requirements of the external application. The attribute information recorded in the management file can be arbitrarily changed by the user regardless of whether or not the attribute information is previously defined on the external application side.

  Returning to the description of the block diagram of FIG. The activation management unit 25 has a functional configuration that manages installation, activation, operation termination, and uninstallation of external applications. The output control unit 26 has a functional configuration that controls audio output by an external application that is operating. The output control unit 26 refers to the management file in the storage area 24 when the activation management unit 25 is notified of the activation of the external application. Then, when the audio output condition indicated by the attribute information in the management file is satisfied, a start trigger indicating the start of audio output by the external application and audio data output from the external application are transmitted to the control device 10. When the audio end condition is satisfied, an end trigger indicating that the audio output by the external application is ended is transmitted to the control device 10.

  The output format of the audio data by the output control unit 26 depends on the mechanism on the external control device 20 side. For example, when a plurality of applications are operating, it is determined on the external control device 20 side whether the audio data is mixed and output or only the sound of the active application is output. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that audio data output after the determination is handled.

  The audio output unit 30 is an output device for performing audio output by a dedicated application or an external application. The display unit 40 is a color display device having a display surface such as a liquid crystal display, and is an output device for displaying an image output by a dedicated application, an external application, or the like.

  A software system realized by the control device 10 and the external control device 20 will be described with reference to FIG. In the control device 10 and the external control device 20, a platform 50 and an external application management unit 51, and a software system including a dedicated application and an external application that operate depending on them are configured.

  The platform 50 is an operating system (OS) that provides an application with an interface that abstracts the hardware of the computer system, and provides functions necessary for the basic operation of the vehicle navigation system 1. Dedicated applications such as a navigation function, an audio function, and a hands-free telephone function operate depending on the platform 50.

  The external application management unit 51 is an open platform that conforms to a standardized standard, and can operate various external applications created in accordance with the standard. The external application management unit 51 includes a mechanism for managing and controlling external applications installed in the external control device 20, and the external application management unit 51 itself is configured as software that operates on the platform 50.

  As a result, if the application conforms to the standard of the open platform, even if it is an external application developed by a third party that is not directly related to the vehicular navigation system 1 main body, the audio generated by these external applications Output and video output can be realized by the vehicle navigation system 1.

[Description of audio output switching sequence]
Next, the outline of the audio output switching sequence executed by the functions of the control device 10 and the external control device 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The sequence diagram shown in FIG. 3 starts when an external application is installed in the external control device 20. When the installation of the external application is completed, the activation management unit 25 notifies the attribute information management unit 23 of the completion of the installation. When the activation information is notified from the activation management unit 25, the attribute information management unit 23 refers to the attribute information attached to the data of the installed external application. Then, the attribute information management unit 23 records the referenced attribute information in the management file in the storage area 24. A detailed procedure of a series of processing by the attribute information management unit 23 will be described later (FIG. 4, flow 1). After recording the attribute information, the attribute information management unit 23 notifies the activation management unit 25 of the completion of registration.

  Next, when the activation management unit 25 detects that the installed external application has been activated, the activation management unit 25 transmits an activation notification of the external application to the output control unit 26. When the output control unit 26 receives the activation notification from the activation management unit 25, the output control unit 26 refers to the attribute information of the external application activated from the management file in the storage area 24. When the audio output start condition of the external application is satisfied, a start trigger indicating that audio output of the external application is started and the priority indicated by the attribute information are transmitted to the audio management unit 13. A detailed procedure of a series of processing by the output control unit 26 will be described later (FIG. 5, flow 2).

  When the voice management unit 13 receives the start trigger and the priority regarding the external application from the output control unit 26, the voice management unit 13 determines whether the voice switching condition based on the priority is successful. As a result of the determination, if the voice switching condition is satisfied, the voice management unit 13 notifies the voice control unit 14 of a voice switching instruction for switching the voice output from the current state to the external application. A detailed procedure of a series of processing by the voice management unit 13 will be described later (FIG. 6, flow 4). When the voice control unit 14 receives the voice switching instruction from the voice management unit 13, the voice control unit 14 switches the voice output from the current state (for example, a state in which voice is output by the dedicated application) to the external application.

  On the other hand, the operating external application outputs audio data as needed. The output control unit 26 transmits the audio data output from the external application to the audio management unit 13. The voice management unit 13 outputs the voice data received from the output control unit 26 to the voice control unit 14. The voice control unit 14 causes the voice output unit 30 to output the voice data of the external application received from the voice management unit 13 under the condition that the voice output is switched to the external application.

  Thereafter, when the activation management unit 25 detects the termination of the external application that was operating, the activation management unit 25 transmits an external application termination notification to the output control unit 26. When receiving the end notification from the activation management unit 25, the output control unit 26 determines whether or not the audio output end condition is satisfied. As a result of the determination, if the audio output end condition is satisfied, an end trigger indicating that the audio output of the external application is ended is transmitted to the audio management unit 13. A detailed procedure of a series of processing by the output control unit 26 will be described later (FIG. 5, flow 3).

  When receiving the termination trigger related to the external application from the output control unit 26, the voice management unit 13 notifies the voice control unit 14 of a voice switching instruction for switching the voice output from the current state to the dedicated application. When the voice control unit 14 receives the voice switching instruction from the voice management unit 13, the voice control unit 14 switches the voice output from the current state (a state in which the voice from the external application is output) to the dedicated application.

  On the other hand, when the attribute information management unit 23 receives an attribute information change instruction from the user, the attribute information management unit 23 updates the content of the attribute information in the management file in the storage area 24 to the content according to the given instruction. The input of the attribute information change instruction is performed through, for example, an input device such as an operation switch provided in the vehicle or an operation terminal (none of which is shown) that is used by being externally connected to the vehicle navigation system 1. To do.

  On the other hand, when the activation management unit 25 detects that the installed external application has been uninstalled, the activation management unit 25 notifies the attribute information management unit 23 of the completion of the uninstallation. When notified of completion of uninstallation from the activation management unit 25, the attribute information management unit 23 deletes attribute information corresponding to the uninstalled external application from the management file in the storage area 24.

[Control flow of attribute information manager]
A procedure of processing executed by the attribute information management unit 23 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

(Flow 1. Attribute information registration process)
The attribute information management unit 23 executes the attribute information registration process on the condition that the installation of the external application is completed. In S100, the attribute information management unit 23 refers to attribute information attached to the installed external application program. In S102, the process branches depending on whether or not the attribute information exists in the external application that is the reference destination. When the attribute information exists in the external application that is the reference destination (S102: YES), the process proceeds to S106. In S106, the attribute information attached to the reference destination external application is read and recorded in the management file in the storage area 24 as the attribute information of the external application. After recording, this process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the attribute information does not exist in the reference external application (S102: NO), the process proceeds to S104. In S104, default attribute information defined in advance is created. In the next S106, the default attribute information created in S104 is recorded in the management file in the storage area 24 as the attribute information of the external application. After recording, this process is terminated.

[Control flow of output control unit]
The procedure of processing executed by the output control unit 26 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

(Flow 2. Start trigger transmission process)
The output control unit 26 executes the start trigger transmission process on the condition that the external application is activated or the operating external application satisfies the audio output start condition. In S200, when the external application is activated, the attribute information management unit 23 acquires attribute information corresponding to the activated external application from the management file in the storage area 24 and registers it in the activation list. The activation list is a list of external applications currently operating in the external control device 20 and attribute information thereof.

  In S202, the audio output start condition is searched from the attribute information of each external application registered in the activation list. In S204, it is determined whether there is an external application that satisfies the audio output start condition at the present time as a result of searching for the audio output start condition. If there is an external application that satisfies the audio output start condition (S204: YES), the process proceeds to S206. On the other hand, if there is no external application that satisfies the audio output start condition (S204: NO), this process ends.

  In S206, which proceeds when there is an external application satisfying the audio output start condition, a start trigger indicating that audio output by the external application is started, and the highest priority value among the external applications satisfying the audio output start condition are set. Is transmitted to the control device 10. After transmission, this process is terminated.

(Flow 3. End trigger transmission process)
The output control unit 26 executes the end trigger transmission process on the condition that the operation of the external application is ended or the operating external application satisfies the audio output end condition. In S300, the attribute information management unit 23 deletes the attribute information corresponding to the external application that has completed the operation or satisfied the audio output end condition from the activation list.

  In next step S302, the audio output start condition is searched from the attribute information of each external application registered in the activation list. In S304, it is determined whether there is an external application that satisfies the audio output start condition at the present time as a result of searching for the audio output start condition. If there is an external application that satisfies the audio output start condition (S304: YES), the process proceeds to S308. On the other hand, if there is no external application that satisfies the audio output start condition (S304: NO), the process proceeds to S306.

  In S <b> 306, which proceeds when there is no external application that satisfies the audio output start condition, an end trigger indicating that audio output by the external application is to be ended is transmitted to the control device 10. After transmission, this process is terminated. On the other hand, in S308, which proceeds when there is an external application that satisfies the audio output start condition, the start trigger indicating that audio output by the external application is started and the highest priority among the external applications that satisfy the audio output start condition The value is transmitted to the control device 10. After transmission, this process is terminated.

[Control flow of voice management unit]
The procedure of processing executed by the voice management unit 13 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

(Flow 4. Audio output start processing)
The voice management unit 13 executes the voice output start process on condition that the start trigger and the priority related to the external application are received from the external control device 20. In S400, the priority of the dedicated application in a state in which voice output is currently possible in the control device 10 is compared with the priority of the external application received together with the start trigger. In addition, the priority of a dedicated application shall be previously registered into the control apparatus 10 for every dedicated application. In next step S402, as a result of the priority comparison, the process branches depending on whether the priority of the external application is higher than the priority of the dedicated application. When the priority of the external application is higher than the priority of the dedicated application (S402: YES), the process proceeds to S404. On the other hand, when the priority of the external application is equal to or lower than the priority of the dedicated application (S402: NO), this process ends.

  In S404, which proceeds when the priority of the external application is higher than the priority of the dedicated application, a voice output switching instruction “external control device” for switching the voice output to the external application on the external control device 20 side is set to voice control. To the unit 14. As a result, the voice control unit 14 switches the voice output to the external application on the external control device 20 side.

[Specific example of state transition of audio output]
A specific example of the state transition of audio output in the vehicle navigation system 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 7A is an example of state transition of the audio output of the dedicated application in the control device 10. Here, the control device 10 outputs audio for each predetermined operation between dedicated applications of the AM radio (priority: 5), FM radio (priority: 5), and CD player (priority: 5). Assume a system with state transitions that switch sequentially. In the case shown in FIG. 7A, as a precondition, it is assumed that the CD player is in a state where audio output is possible at the present time.

  FIG. 7B shows a control example in the case where the external application is started on the external control device 20 side or the audio output start condition of the external application is satisfied on the premise described above. Here, it is assumed that the external application has audio output and has a priority of 4.

  At this time, the start trigger transmission process (FIG. 5, flow 2) is executed in the output control unit 26 of the external control device 20. As a result, the start trigger and priority of the external application are transmitted from the external control device 20 to the control device 10 (S600). In response to this, the voice management unit 13 of the control device 10 executes a voice output start process (FIG. 6, flow 4). As a result, since the priority “4” of the external application is lower than the priority “5” of the dedicated application (CD player) that is currently outputting sound, the sound is not switched to the external application, and the dedicated application The state of audio output by the application is maintained (S602).

  In this case, since the priority of the external application is lower than the priority of the dedicated application that is outputting audio, forcible audio switching is not performed when the start trigger of the external application is generated. Then, according to the mechanism on the control device 10 side, control for sequentially switching the audio output between the dedicated application of the AM radio, the FM radio, and the CD player and the external application is performed for each predetermined operation.

  Next, FIG. 8A is an example of the state transition of the audio output of the dedicated application in the control device 10. This case is the same as the premise shown in FIG. FIG. 8B shows an example of control when the external application is started on the external control device 20 side or the audio output start condition of the external application is satisfied under this assumption. As a precondition, it is assumed that the external application has no audio output. When there is no sound output from the external application, the state transition of the sound output skips the external application and shifts to the sound output state by the next dedicated application.

  Next, FIG. 9A is an example of the state transition of the audio output of the dedicated application in the control device 10. This case is the same as the premise shown in FIG. FIG. 9B shows an example of control when the external application is started on the external control device 20 side or the audio output start condition of the external application is satisfied under this premise. Here, it is assumed that the external application has audio output and has a priority of 6.

  At this time, the start trigger transmission process (FIG. 5, flow 2) is executed in the output control unit 26 of the external control device 20. As a result, the start trigger and priority of the external application are transmitted from the external control device 20 to the control device 10 (S700). In response to this, the voice management unit 13 of the control device 10 executes a voice output start process (FIG. 6, flow 4). As a result, since the priority “6” of the external application is higher than the priority “5” of the dedicated application (CD player) that is currently outputting audio, the audio is switched from the dedicated application to the external application. (S702).

  In this case, since the priority of the external application is higher than the priority of any dedicated application, forcible voice switching accompanying the start trigger of the external application is performed from any state.

  After that, when the current state of the audio output is an external application, when the operation of the external application ends or the audio output end condition is satisfied, the output control unit 26 of the external control device 20 performs an end trigger transmission process (FIG. 5. Flow 3) is executed. As a result, an external application termination trigger is transmitted from the external control device 20 to the control device 10 (S800). In response to this, an audio output switching instruction for switching the audio output to the dedicated application is issued from the audio management unit 13 of the control device 10, and the audio output is switched to the previous state (ie, CD player) (S802). .

[Control flow of voice control unit]
The procedure of processing executed by the voice control unit 14 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

(Flow 5. Audio output switching process)
The voice control unit 14 executes the voice output switching process on condition that the control device 10 has received the voice mode switching request. The voice mode switching request is an instruction for arbitrarily switching an application that outputs voice, and is input to the control device 10 by an operation from a user, for example. In S500, the voice control unit 14 branches the process depending on whether or not the next state to be changed according to the voice mode switching request is a voice output from the external control device 20 (external application). When the next state to be changed is the external control device 20 (S500: YES), the process proceeds to S502. On the other hand, when the next state to be transitioned is not the external control device 20 (S500: NO), the process proceeds to S504.

  In S <b> 502, which proceeds when the next state to be changed is the external control device 20, it is determined whether or not the audio output switching instruction “external control device” has been received from the audio management unit 13. If the audio output switching instruction “external control device” has been received (S502: YES), the process proceeds to S506. On the other hand, when the audio output switching instruction “external control device” has not been received (S502: NO), the process proceeds to S504.

  In S <b> 506, which proceeds when the audio output switching instruction “external control device” has been received, the audio output to the audio output unit 30 is switched to the external control device 20 (external application). After switching, this process is terminated. On the other hand, when the next state to be changed is not the external control device 20 or when the audio output switching instruction “external control device” has not been received, the audio output to the audio output unit 30 is performed in the next step S504. Switch to the transition destination dedicated application. After switching, this process is terminated.

[effect]
The vehicle navigation system 1 according to the embodiment has the following effects.
Based on the priority indicated by the attribute information of the external application recorded in the management file, it is possible to dynamically switch the audio output between the dedicated application and the external application. The attribute information in the management file can be recorded by the attribute information management unit 23 when the external application is installed in the external control device 20.

  With such a mechanism, in the vehicle navigation system 1, when installing an external application, there is no need to individually modify the software according to the operation requirements of the installation destination, and the dynamic system according to the nature of the external application. Voice switching can be performed.

[Modification]
In the above embodiment, the case where the control device 10 and the external control device 20 are each provided with an individual CPU and memory has been described. However, the control device 10 has a mechanism of separate control software that operates on the same CPU. The functions of the external control device 20 may be realized. Moreover, the control apparatus 10 and the external control apparatus 20 may be comprised as an integrated apparatus, and may be comprised as a separate apparatus. In the latter case, the external control device 20 may be an in-vehicle device or a portable terminal that is communicatively connected to the vehicle navigation system.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle navigation system, 10 ... Control apparatus, 11 ... CPU, 12 ... Memory, 13 ... Voice management part, 14 ... Voice control part, 15 ... Display control part, 20 ... External control apparatus, 21 ... CPU, 22 ... Memory, 23 ... attribute information management unit, 24 ... storage area, 25 ... activation management unit, 26 ... output control unit, 30 ... audio output unit, 40 ... display unit, 50 ... platform, 51 ... external application management unit.

Claims (3)

A voice control device for a vehicle having a function in which a dedicated application pre-installed as a basic function and an external application introduced later through information communication with the outside operate independently and perform voice output by these applications (1)
Storage means (24) for storing priority information indicating the priority of audio output for each installed external application;
Of one or a plurality of external applications satisfying a predetermined audio output start condition, an audio output start request for an external application having the highest priority indicated by the priority information stored in the storage unit is sent to an audio management unit ( 13) output control means (26) for notifying,
Compare and compare the priority of the audio output corresponding to the external application related to the output start request notified from the output control means and the priority of the audio output defined for the dedicated application that satisfies the predetermined audio output condition As a result, the sound management means (13) for outputting the sound by the higher priority application from the sound output means provided in the vehicle,
A vehicle voice control apparatus comprising: In the vehicle voice control device according to claim 1,
When the external application is installed, the apparatus further comprises an acquisition unit that acquires the priority information included in the data of the installed external application and records the acquired priority information in the storage unit. Voice control device for vehicles. In the vehicle voice control device according to claim 1 or 2,
The output control means notifies the voice management means of a voice output start request relating to the external application having the highest priority indicated by the priority information on the condition that the external application is started as the voice output start condition. A vehicular voice control device characterized by:

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