JP2016050964A - Reading control unit and telephone call control unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform control so that reading can be achieved based on a driving load.SOLUTION: A reading control unit (ECU 20) controls an operating state of a reading device (loudspeaker 30) that outputs voice which reads an incoming message for a driver of a vehicle, and includes permission means 22a and discontinuation means 22b. The permission means 22a permits initiation of voice outputting from the reading device under a condition that a low-load state in which a driving load to be incurred by the driver falls below a predetermined load is established. If the low-load state is changed to a non-low-load state in course of voice outputting, the discontinuation means 22b allows the voice outputting to continue until an optimal part of the incoming message, and thereafter discontinues the voice outputting.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a reading control device that controls a reading device that reads an incoming message to a driver of a vehicle, or a call control device that controls a hands-free calling device.

  In recent years, as a human machine interface (HMI), a reading device described in Patent Document 1 and a hands-free communication device described in Patent Document 2 have been developed. The reading device is a device that converts the text data of the incoming mail into voice data and outputs it. According to this device, the driver can grasp the contents of the incoming mail in a hands-free manner. The hands-free call device is a device that outputs the voice of the call partner with a speaker and detects the voice of the driver with a microphone. According to this device, the driver can talk with a callee outside the vehicle in a hands-free manner.

JP 2005-222410 A JP2013-168845A

  However, when the driving load on the driver is high, such as when passing through an ETC gate (ETC is a registered trademark), driving on a curve, driving on a branch road, etc., high concentration for driving is required. It is not desirable to make a call or read aloud.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a reading control apparatus that performs control so as to perform reading according to the driving load. Another object of the present invention is to provide a call control device that controls to perform a hands-free call according to the driving load.

  The invention disclosed herein employs the following technical means to achieve the above object. Note that the reference numerals in parentheses described in the claims and in this section indicate the correspondence with the specific means described in the embodiments described later, and do not limit the technical scope of the invention. .

  One of the disclosed inventions is a reading control device (20) for controlling an operating state of a reading device that outputs a voice for reading an incoming message to a driver of a vehicle. The reading control device includes a permission means (22a) for permitting the start of voice output by the reading device and a voice output maximum on condition that the driving load on the driver is a low load state that is less than a predetermined value. A continuous interruption means (22b) for continuing the voice output to the optimum point of the incoming message and then interrupting the voice output when the driving load changes from a low load state to a non-low load state where the driving load is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. It is characterized by providing.

  According to this invention, since the start of voice output by the reading device is permitted on the condition that the driving load is in a low load state, the incoming message is read out when the driving load is not low (in a non-low load state). It is avoided. Therefore, when high concentration with respect to driving | operation is requested | required, the possibility of reducing concentration by reading aloud can be reduced.

  Further, according to the above invention, when the voice output is started in the low load state and then changed to the non-low load state during the voice output, the voice output is not interrupted immediately, but the optimum place of the incoming message is not interrupted. The voice output is continued until it is interrupted. For this reason, for example, by setting the optimum location as a punctuation mark, pictograph, symbol, or the like, it is possible to suppress a decrease in convenience due to interruption during reading.

  One of the disclosed inventions is a call control device (200) for controlling an operating state of a hands-free call device that enables a hands-free call by a vehicle driver. The call control device includes a permission unit (220a) for allowing a call by the hands-free call device and a driving load equal to or greater than a predetermined value on condition that the driving load on the driver is less than a predetermined value. Among non-low load conditions, when the driving load is higher than a predetermined level, it is called a high load state, and when the driving load is lower than a predetermined level, it is called a middle load state. The call holding means (220b) for placing the call on hold, and when the call changes from the low load state to the medium load state during the call, And alerting means (220c) for alerting the user to make a call in a state.

  According to the present invention, hands-free calling is permitted on the condition that the driving load is in a low load state, so that hands-free calling is avoided when the driving load is not low (in a non-low load state). . Therefore, when high concentration for driving is required, the possibility of reducing concentration due to a call can be reduced.

  Furthermore, according to the above-described invention, when a hands-free call is started in a low load state and then the call is put on hold when the call changes to a high load state during the call, the case is changed to a medium load state. Calls attention while allowing the call to continue without putting it on hold. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in concentration on driving when the load changes during a hands-free call. Nevertheless, when the load changes to a medium load state, the call is made alert while allowing the call to be continued, so the call is interrupted at a good timing, immediately interrupted, or continued as it is. The call state can be left to the judgment of the driver. Therefore, when it changes to a middle load state, the convenience fall by forcibly holding in the middle of a call can be suppressed.

1 is a block diagram showing a reading device and a reading control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In 1st Embodiment, the time chart which shows the one aspect | mode of control at the time of changing to medium load in the middle of reading. In 1st Embodiment, the time chart which shows the one aspect | mode of control at the time of changing to high load in the middle of reading. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for setting a reading flag to ON by the microcomputer in the first embodiment. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the reading-out control by a microcomputer in 1st Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the hands-free call apparatus and call control apparatus which concern on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. In 2nd Embodiment, the time chart which shows the one aspect | mode of control at the time of changing to medium load in the middle of a telephone call. In 2nd Embodiment, the time chart which shows the one aspect | mode of control at the time of changing to high load in the middle of a telephone call. The flowchart which shows the procedure in which a microcomputer sets a call flag to ON in 2nd Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the telephone call control by a microcomputer in 2nd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a plurality of modes for carrying out the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment, portions corresponding to the matters described in the preceding embodiment may be denoted by the same reference numerals and redundant description may be omitted. In each embodiment, when only a part of the configuration is described, the other configurations described above can be applied to other portions of the configuration.

(First embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 1, an electronic control unit (ECU 20), a speaker 30, a microphone 31, a display 32, a seating sensor 33, and other electronic control units ( Another ECU 34) is mounted. The mobile terminal 10 can communicate with the communication terminal 3 through the base station 2 installed outside the vehicle 1. The base station 2 is connected to be communicable through an Internet line or a telephone line. In other words, the mobile terminal 10 and the communication terminal 3 have a function of performing wireless communication via an Internet line or a telephone line.

  The speaker 30 outputs sounds such as voice, music, and notification sound to the vehicle occupant. The microphone 31 detects the sound uttered by the driver of the vehicle and converts it into an electrical signal. The indicator 32 is attached to the instrument panel and displays various information to the vehicle occupant. The seating sensor 33 is a sensor that detects whether or not an occupant is seated in a vehicle seat. The other ECU 34 controls the operation of an internal combustion engine or a travel motor mounted on the vehicle 1, and transmits vehicle information representing the driving state of the vehicle to the ECU 20. Specific examples of the vehicle information include vehicle travel speed, travel acceleration, steering angle, direction indicator operation information, road information, and the like.

  The ECU 20 includes a communication processing circuit 21, a microcomputer (microcomputer 22), an audio output processing circuit 23, an audio input processing circuit 24, a display output processing circuit 25, an external memory 26, and the like. The communication processing circuit 21 is an interface circuit that performs wireless communication with the portable terminal 10 brought into the vehicle interior. The audio output processing circuit 23 outputs a drive signal to the speaker 30 based on the audio signal output from the microcomputer 22. The audio input processing circuit 24 converts an analog audio signal detected by the microphone 31 into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal to the microcomputer 22. The display output processing circuit 25 outputs a drive signal to the display 32 based on the image signal output from the microcomputer 22. The external memory 26 stores a plurality of types of audio signals and image signals.

  When the mobile terminal 10 receives mail containing text data from the communication terminal 3, the text data (incoming message) is transmitted to the ECU 20. The ECU 20 converts the incoming message into a voice signal and outputs it to the speaker 30. That is, the speaker 30 provides a reading device that outputs a voice for reading an incoming message, and the ECU 20 provides a reading control device that controls the operating state of the reading device. The driver can grasp the contents of the incoming message in a hands-free manner. Note that the text of the content output by the reading device is also displayed on the display 32.

  Based on the detection result of the seating sensor 33, the ECU 20 determines whether the vehicle occupant is only the driver or whether there is a passenger other than the driver. The ECU 20 is based on the determination result of the presence / absence of the passenger, the incoming message acquired from the mobile terminal 10, the vehicle information acquired from the other ECU 34, the voice detected by the microphone 31, and the like. Control the operation. Hereinafter, the contents of this control will be described in detail.

  The microcomputer 22 executes various processes in accordance with a program stored in the internal memory 22m in advance, thereby permitting means 22a, continuous interruption means 22b, forced interruption means 22c, automatic reply means 22d, and reading order described below. Determination means 22e is provided.

  The permission unit 22a permits the start of voice output by the reading device on condition that all of the conditions (1) to (4) described below are satisfied. Condition (1) is a low load state where the driving load for the driver is less than a predetermined value. The driving load is a load that the driver bears when the driver operates the vehicle 1. For example, it can be said that the driving load on the driver is high when passing through an ETC gate, driving on a curve, driving on a branch road, changing lanes, entering an intersection, or driving at an intersection. When the driving load is high, the driver is required to have high concentration for driving.

  Condition (2) is that the content of the mail received by the mobile terminal 10 includes content related to location, time, or urgency. The condition (3) is that the transmission source (for example, the communication terminal 3) of the mail received by the mobile terminal 10 is a permitted transmission source. As a specific example of the “permitted transmission source”, among the communication terminal 3 registered in the address book of the mobile terminal 10 and the communication terminal 3 registered in the address book, a permission registration is performed by a user or the like. Communication terminal 3 may be mentioned. Condition (4) is that no passengers other than the driver are present in the vehicle 1. The presence / absence of a passenger is determined based on the detection result of the seating sensor 33.

  The microcomputer 22 performs a calculation for digitizing the driving load based on the acquired vehicle information. For example, the driving load value is calculated to be larger as the distance from the current position of the vehicle 1 to the ETC gate is shorter. Further, the driving load value is calculated to be larger as the vehicle speed during curve driving or branch road driving increases. The microcomputer 22 determines that the calculated driving load value is less than the first threshold value (less than a predetermined value) and is in a low load state, and if the calculated operation load value is equal to or greater than the second threshold value (a predetermined degree or more), determines that the load is high. If it is greater than or equal to the first threshold and less than the second threshold, it is determined that the vehicle is in the middle load state. The second threshold is greater than the first threshold. The high load state and the medium load state are collectively referred to as a non-low load state.

  The continuation interrupting unit 22b is configured to detect the optimum location of the incoming message without stopping the voice output immediately after changing to the middle load state when the voice output by the reading device is changed from the low load state to the middle load state. Continue sound output until Then, after performing voice output to the optimum location, the voice output is stopped and reading of the incoming message is interrupted (hereinafter referred to as “continuation interruption”). The optimal location is a location of punctuation marks, pictographs, and symbols included in the text of the incoming message. The microcomputer 22 analyzes the text data related to the incoming message and determines the optimum location.

  Forcibly interrupting means 22c, when changing from a low load state to a high load state during the voice output by the reading device, immediately stops the voice output at the time of changing to the high load state, and forcibly reads the incoming message. (Hereinafter referred to as forced suspension). In addition, during the period when reading is interrupted due to continuous interruption or forced interruption, it is also prohibited to display the contents of reading on the display device 32. In other words, the display is interrupted with reading.

  The automatic reply means 22d automatically replies a predetermined message to the sender of the incoming message, that is, the communication terminal 3 in the example of FIG. 1, on the condition that the continuous interruption or the forced interruption continues for a predetermined time or more. For example, a message such as “Now driving a car” is automatically replied. This message is a fixed form text stored in advance in storage means such as the external memory 26 or a text that is stored and set in advance by the user. Further, the automatic reply means 22d performs an automatic reply on the condition that the transmission source of the incoming message is a permitted transmission source. For example, in the same manner as the condition (3) described above, the communication terminal 3 registered in the address book or the communication terminal 3 registered by permission by the user or the like among the communication terminals 3 registered in the address book. It may be “permitted transmission source”. That is, it is only necessary to set in advance so as to permit and register e-mail addresses of family members and friends.

  The reading order determining unit 22e determines the reading order by the reading apparatus when there are a plurality of unread incoming messages. Specifically, the reading order is determined based on the content of the body of the incoming message, the content of the title, the length of the text of these contents, that is, the size of the text data, the transmission source, and the like. For example, when the reading order is determined based on the content of the incoming message, it is determined by analyzing text data whether or not the content about the place, time or urgency is included in the incoming message. If it is determined that it is included, the reading order is moved forward. For example, the longer the text of the incoming message, the higher the reading order. For example, if the sender of the incoming message is an address set in advance, the reading order is moved forward.

  Next, an example in which reading is temporarily interrupted due to a non-low-load state during reading by the reading device will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a time chart showing one mode of continuous interruption by the continuous interruption means 22b. First, when a new mail arrives at the mobile terminal 10 when the driving load is low, the microcomputer 22 outputs an audio signal indicating that a new mail has been received. As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 2B, a guidance voice such as “I received an email” is output from the speaker 30. Thereafter, the microcomputer 22 outputs an audio signal for determining whether or not to read the new mail. As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 2C, an inquiry voice such as “Do you want to read?” Is output from the speaker 30.

  After that, when the microphone 31 detects a voice response indicating that the user (vehicle occupant) wants to read out, such as a “yes” response (see FIG. 2D), the voice reads out the contents of the new mail. The microcomputer 22 outputs a signal. Thereby, the voice of the content of the new mail is output from the speaker 30. That is, reading a new mail starts.

  In the example shown in FIG. 2A, the driving load is changed from a low load to a medium load at a time t2 during the reading after a time t1 when the reading is started. For this reason, the reading is interrupted by the continuous interrupting means 22b. However, it is not forcibly interrupted at the time t2, and the sound output is continued up to the optimum location. Then, reading is interrupted (continuous interruption) at the time t3 when the reading is made to the optimum location. In the example shown in FIG. 2 (e), when the new mail is a sentence composed of four sentences (1), (2), (3), and (4), the middle of the first sentence (1) is read at t2. The load has changed. Then, the reading of the sentence is continued so as to read the sentence (1) to the end, and reading of the whole sentence is interrupted at time t3 when the reading of the sentence (1) is completed. That is, in the entire sentence, the boundary between the sentence (1) and the sentence (2) is the optimum part.

  Thereafter, the driving load changes from a medium load to a low load at time t4, and reading of the text is resumed at time t4. That is, reading is started from the sentence (2) next to the sentence (1) that has been read out. Thereafter, at time t5 when reading of the remaining sentences (3) and (4) is completed and reading of the entire sentence is completed, the operation of the reading apparatus is stopped.

  FIG. 3 is a time chart showing one mode of forced interruption by the forced interruption means 22c. First, as in FIG. 2, when a new mail arrives in a low load state, guidance and inquiry voices are output (see FIGS. 3B and 3C). Thereafter, when a voice desired to be read is detected by the microphone 31, reading of a new mail starts (see FIGS. 3D and 3E).

  In the example shown in FIG. 3A, the driving load is changed from a low load to a high load at a time t2 during the reading after a time t1 when the reading is started. For this reason, the reading is interrupted by the forced interruption means 22c. In this interruption, the reading of the sentence (1) is not waited for completion, and the reading of the sentence (1) is forcibly interrupted (forced interruption).

  Thereafter, at a time point t4 when the driving load changes from a high load to a low load, the reading of the text is resumed. In this resumption, reading is not started from the interruption position of the sentence (1) that was in the middle of reading, but is started from a position returning from the interruption position. In the example of FIG. 3, it returns to the beginning of sentence (1) and resumes. Thereafter, at time t6 when reading of the remaining sentences (2), (3), and (4) is completed and reading of the entire sentence is completed, the operation of the reading apparatus is stopped.

  Next, a process procedure for controlling the operation of the reading apparatus by the microcomputer 22 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. The flowcharts of FIGS. 4 and 5 are repeatedly executed at a predetermined cycle by the microcomputer 22 while the ECU 20 is communicating with the mobile terminal 10.

  First, in step S10 in FIG. 4, it is determined whether or not there is an unread mail among the mails received by the mobile terminal 10. If it is determined that there is an unread mail, in the next step S11, it is determined whether or not the driving load is in a low load state. In other words, if the above-described operating load numerical value is less than the first threshold value, it is determined that the vehicle is in a low load state. The low load state corresponds to the read permission condition (1) by the permission means 22a (see FIG. 1) described above.

  If it is determined that the load is low, the process proceeds to step S12, and it is determined whether the other conditions (2), (3), and (4) for permitting reading by the permission unit 22a are satisfied. These conditions (2) to (4) are as described above, and are determined based on the contents of the mail, the sender, and the presence or absence of a passenger.

  If it is determined that all of these other conditions (2) to (4) are also satisfied, the process proceeds to step S13, and there is unread mail as illustrated in FIGS. 2 (b) and 3 (b). An audio signal that indicates the effect is output. In the subsequent step S14, as exemplified in FIGS. 2C and 3C, an audio signal for inquiring the user whether or not to read the unread mail is output.

  In a succeeding step S15, it is determined whether or not the permission sound of the user who permits the reading is input to the microphone 31 in response to the inquiry in the step S14. As illustrated in FIGS. 2D and 3D, when it is determined that the permission voice is input, the reading flag is set to ON in the subsequent step S16.

  Next, in step S20 in FIG. 5, it is determined whether or not the reading flag is set to ON. If it is determined that the reading flag is set to ON, the operation of the reading device is controlled to start reading unread mail to be read in the next step S21. That is, the text data representing the contents of the unread mail is converted into an audio signal, and output of the audio signal is started.

  In a succeeding step S22, it is determined whether or not the reading started in the step S21 is completed. For example, in the case of the sentences illustrated in FIGS. 2E and 3E, it is determined whether or not the reading of the last sentence (5) has been completed. If it is determined that reading of the entire sentence has been completed, the reading flag is set to OFF in the next step S23. If it is determined that reading of the entire sentence has not been completed, it is determined in subsequent step S24 whether or not the driving load has changed from the low load state to the high load state. That is, it is determined whether or not the operating load numerical value described above has changed from a state below the first threshold to a state above the second threshold. When it is determined that the load has changed to the high load state, in the subsequent step S25, as shown in FIG. 3E, the forced interruption of the reading by the forced interruption means 22c is executed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S24 that no change to the high load state has occurred, it is determined in subsequent step S26 whether or not the operating load has changed from the low load state to the medium load state. In other words, it is determined whether or not the operating load numerical value described above has changed to a state of the first threshold value or more and less than the second threshold value. When it is determined that the state has changed to the medium load state, in the subsequent steps S27 and S28, the continuous interruption of the reading by the continuous interruption unit 22b is executed. That is, first, reading is continued up to the optimum location in step S27, and then reading is interrupted in step S28.

  If a negative determination is made in either step S24 or S26, that is, if the low load state is maintained, the process returns to step S22 and the process is repeated. Therefore, when the low load state is continued from the start of reading to the completion of reading, reading is completed without executing reading interruption in steps S25 and S28, and the reading flag is switched from on to off.

  If the reading is interrupted in steps S25 and S28, the reading is waited for in the following step S29, and it is determined whether or not the driving load has returned to the low load state in the subsequent step S30. That is, it is determined whether or not the high load state or the medium load state is changed to the low load state. If it is determined that the low load state has not been restored, the process returns to step S29 to continue reading standby. On the other hand, if it is determined that the low load state has been restored, the process proceeds to the next step S31, and a voice signal for inquiring the user as to whether or not to resume reading of the suspended unread mail is output. In subsequent step S <b> 32, it is determined whether or not the permission sound of the user who is permitted to resume reading is input to the microphone 31 in response to the inquiry in step S <b> 31.

  If the permission voice is not input within a predetermined time from the inquiry in step S31, the process proceeds to step S23, and the reading flag is set to OFF. As a result, the reading is not resumed, and the reading of the corresponding unread mail is terminated while being interrupted. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S32 that permission speech has been input, it is determined whether or not the reading to be resumed is a restart from a forced interruption. In other words, it is determined whether the current interruption is a forced interruption or a continuous interruption.

  If it is determined that the process is resumed from the forced interruption, the process proceeds to step S34, and the reading is resumed from the position returned from the interruption position. This resuming point is set at a point such as a punctuation mark, a pictograph or a symbol. On the other hand, when it is determined not to restart from the forced interruption, that is, when it is determined to restart from the continuous interruption, reading is resumed from the interruption point (that is, the optimum point).

  Then, after reading is resumed in steps S34 and S35, the process returns to step S22 and the process is repeated. Therefore, when the low load state is continued from the resumption of reading to the completion of reading, the reading flag is switched from on to off. Further, when the state changes again to the non-low load state after restarting, the reading is interrupted again.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the permission unit 22a that permits the reading start of unread mail is provided on condition that the load is low. Therefore, reading aloud in a non-low load state is avoided, so that it is possible to reduce the possibility of reducing the concentration due to reading when a high concentration for driving is required. Alternatively, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the contents read out due to the concentration in driving cannot be grasped.

  Further, in the present embodiment, there is provided a continuation interrupting unit 22b that continues reading to the optimum location of unread mail when the state changes from a low load state to a non-low load state during reading and then interrupts reading. Therefore, it can be interrupted after reading up to the optimum place such as punctuation marks, pictograms, symbols, etc., so when a mail sentence is composed of a plurality of sentences (1) (2) (3) (4) Sentence (1) can be read to the end. Therefore, since the sentence (1) in the middle of reading is interrupted after the contents are sufficiently grasped, it is possible to suppress a decrease in convenience caused by forcibly interrupting the sentence in the middle of the sentence.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, in addition to the continuous interruption means 22b, the forced interruption means 22c is provided. For this reason, when the load is changed from the low load state to the medium load state, the continuation and interruption by the continuation interruption means 22b is executed. On the other hand, when the change is made to the high load state, the forced interruption is immediately performed without performing the continuation. .

  For this reason, if it changes to a high load state during reading, priority is given to interrupting reading immediately rather than continuing reading to the optimal location, thus reducing the possibility of a decrease in concentration on driving due to reading as soon as possible. it can. Nevertheless, when the medium is changed to a middle load state during reading, priority is given to continuing reading to the optimum place rather than immediately interrupting, so that it is possible to prevent the convenience of hands-free reading from being impaired.

  Further, in the present embodiment, after the forced interruption is performed by the forced interruption means 22c, when the reading that has been interrupted by changing from the non-low load state to the low load state is resumed, the incoming message is more than the interruption point. Resume from where it returned.

  Now, since the sentence (1) interrupted by the forced interruption is not read out to the optimum place, it is highly likely that the user cannot fully understand the contents of the sentence. And even if resumption of reading is carried out from the interrupted place contrary to this embodiment, it is difficult to understand the contents before and after the interrupted part of the sentence (1). Therefore, the content of sentence (1) cannot be fully understood. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the sentence (1) suspended due to the forced interruption is resumed and read from the place where it was returned from the interruption place, so that the contents of the sentence (1) are not fully understood. Can be suppressed.

  Furthermore, the present embodiment includes an automatic reply unit 22d that automatically replies a predetermined message to an incoming message on condition that the state of continuous interruption or forced interruption continues for a predetermined time or longer. Therefore, it is possible to avoid giving anxiety due to the absence of a reply to the user of the communication terminal 3 that is the sender of the mail.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the automatic reply unit 22d performs an automatic reply on the condition that the transmission source of the incoming message is a permitted transmission source. Therefore, it is possible to avoid automatically replying to a transmission source that is not permitted, such as junk mail.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the read permission condition by the permission means 22a includes the condition (2) that the incoming message is content related to location, time, or urgency, or the transmission source that is permitted the transmission source of the incoming message. Condition (3) such as “is” is also included. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the annoyance of reading a low importance mail such as a spam mail.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the condition for permitting reading by the permission means 22a includes the condition (4) that no passenger other than the driver is present in the vehicle 1. According to this, it is possible to avoid a passenger from being asked about a confidential content such as a highly confidential email.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when there are a plurality of unread incoming messages, a reading order determination unit 22e is provided that determines the reading order by the reading apparatus based on the contents of the incoming message or the transmission source. According to this, since the content is read in order from the high-priority content or the incoming message of the sender, the convenience of reading hands-free mail can be improved.

(Second Embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 6, in the vehicle 1 in which the portable terminal 10 is brought into the vehicle interior, an electronic control unit (ECU 200), a speaker 30, a microphone 31, a display 32, a seating sensor 33, and other electronic control units ( Another ECU 34) is mounted.

  The ECU 200 includes a communication processing circuit 21, a microcomputer (microcomputer 220), an audio output processing circuit 23, an audio input processing circuit 24, a display output processing circuit 25, an external memory 260, and the like. The communication processing circuit 21 is an interface circuit that performs wireless communication with the portable terminal 10 brought into the vehicle interior. The audio output processing circuit 23 outputs a drive signal to the speaker 30 based on the audio signal output from the microcomputer 220. The audio input processing circuit 24 converts an analog audio signal detected by the microphone 31 into a digital signal and outputs it to the microcomputer 220. The display output processing circuit 25 outputs a drive signal to the display 32 based on the image signal output from the microcomputer 220. The external memory 260 stores a plurality of types of audio signals and image signals.

  The mobile terminal 10 has a function of making a call with the communication terminal 3 through an Internet line or a telephone line. The ECU 200 has a function of enabling the above call using the speaker 30 and the microphone 31. That is, the speaker 30 and the microphone 31 provide a hands-free call device that enables a hands-free call by a vehicle driver, and the ECU 200 provides a call control device that controls the operating state of the hands-free call device. Become. The display 32 displays call information such as the name of the other party, a still image, and a real-time video.

  Based on the detection result of the seating sensor 33, the ECU 200 determines whether the vehicle occupant is only the driver or whether there is a passenger other than the driver. The ECU 200 is based on the determination result of the presence / absence of the passenger, the voice signal of the call by the portable terminal 10, the call information, the vehicle information acquired from the other ECU 34, the voice detected by the microphone 31, and the like. Control the operating state of Hereinafter, the contents of this control will be described in detail.

  The microcomputer 22 executes various processes in accordance with a program stored in advance in the internal memory 220m, thereby allowing the permission means 220a, the call holding means 220b, the alerting means 220c, and the on-hold automatic reply means 220d described below. provide.

  The permission unit 220a permits the start of voice output by the hands-free communication device on condition that all of the conditions (1) to (3) described below are satisfied. Condition (1) is a low load state where the driving load for the driver is less than a predetermined value. The driving load is a load that the driver bears when the driver operates the vehicle 1. For example, it can be said that the driving load on the driver is high when passing through the ETC gate, driving on a curve, or driving on a branch road. When the driving load is high, the driver is required to have high concentration for driving.

  The condition (2) is that the other party (for example, the communication terminal 3) by the portable terminal 10 is permitted. Condition (3) is that no passengers other than the driver are present in the vehicle 1. The presence / absence of a passenger is determined based on the detection result of the seating sensor 33.

  The microcomputer 220 performs a calculation that digitizes the driving load based on the acquired vehicle information. For example, the driving load value is calculated to be larger as the distance from the current position of the vehicle 1 to the ETC gate is shorter. Further, the driving load value is calculated to be larger as the vehicle speed during curve driving or branch road driving increases. The microcomputer 22 determines that the calculated driving load value is less than the first threshold value (less than a predetermined value) and is in a low load state, and if the calculated operation load value is equal to or greater than the second threshold value (a predetermined degree or more), determines that the load is high. If it is greater than or equal to the first threshold and less than the second threshold, it is determined that the vehicle is in the middle load state. The second threshold is greater than the first threshold. The high load state and the medium load state are collectively referred to as a non-low load state.

  The call holding unit 220b places the call on hold when the call is changed from the low load state to the high load state during the call by the hands-free call device. The on-hold state is a state in which the mobile terminal 10 and the communication terminal 3 continue to communicate but cannot make a call. Specifically, in the on-hold state, the audio signal transmitted from the communication terminal 3 to the portable terminal 10 is prohibited from being output to the speaker 30 so that the other party's voice cannot be heard. In addition, it is prohibited to transmit the audio signal detected by the microphone 31 from the mobile terminal 10 to the communication terminal 3.

  However, the ECU 200 controls the hands-free call device so that the call can be continued without holding the call by the call holding means 220b when the call is changed to a medium load state during the call. When the call holding unit 220b sets the hold state, the call partner is automatically notified of the hold state.

  The alerting means 220c alerts the vehicle driver that the call is continued in the medium load state when the low load state is changed to the medium load state during the call. Specific examples of the alerting means include outputting the alerting sound from the speaker 30, sounding a warning sound, or vibrating the steering wheel or the seat.

  The on-hold automatic reply means 220d automatically replies a signal of a predetermined sound to the communication terminal 3 on condition that the hold state by the call hold means 220b has continued for a predetermined time or longer. For example, a melody reminiscent of the hold state is automatically replied as a predetermined sound, or a message such as “Now driving” is automatically replied as a predetermined sound. The predetermined sound is a fixed sound stored in advance in a storage unit such as the external memory 260 or a sound stored and set in advance by the user. The on-hold automatic reply unit 220d performs automatic reply on the condition that the partner terminal (communication terminal 3) of the call is a permitted terminal. For example, it may be set in advance so as to allow a family or friend's terminal.

  Next, an example of control by the call control device when a non-low load state occurs during a call by the hands-free call device will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a time chart showing an aspect of alerting by the alerting means 220c. First, a call is started at time t1 when the driving load is in a low load state. This call start may be a response to a call request from the communication terminal 3 or a call request from the mobile terminal 10.

  When there is a call request from the communication terminal 3, a voice for notifying the driver of the fact is automatically output. For example, sound such as “There is an incoming call” is output from the speaker 30. Then, when the microphone 31 detects permission sound such as “Yes” by the driver with respect to the notification sound, a call is started.

  In the example shown in FIG. 7A, the driving load changes from a low load to a medium load at time t2 during the call after time t1 when the call starts. Therefore, although the call holding unit 220b does not place the call on hold, the driver is alerted by the alerting unit 220c at time t2.

  Thereafter, the driving load changes from medium load to low load at time t3, and at time t4 thereafter, the call is terminated by the operation of the user of the communication terminal 3 or the mobile terminal 10, and the hands-free call device is stopped. Yes.

  FIG. 8 is a time chart showing an aspect of call holding by the call holding means 220b. First, as in FIG. 7, a call is started at time t1 when the load is low. This call start may be a response to a call request from the communication terminal 3 or a call request from the mobile terminal 10. Further, when a call request is received from the communication terminal 3, a voice for notifying the driver of the fact is automatically output in the same manner as in FIG. 7, and a call is made when the microphone 31 detects a permission voice. Let it begin.

  In the example shown in FIG. 8A, the driving load is changed from a low load to a high load at the time t2 during the call after the time t1 at the start of the call. Therefore, the call is placed on hold by the call holding means 220b. At this time, the driver may be notified with an automatic voice that the driving load is switched to the hold state because of the high load state.

  Thereafter, the driving load changes from a high load to a low load at time t3, and the hold state is canceled at time t3 to switch to a state in which a call can be made. Thereafter, at time t4, the call is ended by the operation of the user of the communication terminal 3 or the mobile terminal 10, and the hands-free call device is stopped.

  Next, a procedure of processing for controlling the operation of the hands-free communication device by the microcomputer 220 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. The flowcharts of FIGS. 9 and 10 are repeatedly executed at a predetermined cycle by the microcomputer 220 while the ECU 200 is communicating with the mobile terminal 10.

  First, in step S40 of FIG. 9, it is determined whether or not there is a call request from the communication terminal 3 or the mobile terminal 10. If it is determined that there is a call request, it is determined in the next step S41 whether or not the driving load is in a low load state. In other words, if the above-described operating load numerical value is less than the first threshold value, it is determined that the vehicle is in a low load state. The low load state corresponds to the condition (1) for permitting the hands-free call by the permission unit 220a (see FIG. 6) described above.

  If it is determined that the load is low, the process proceeds to step S42, and it is determined whether or not other conditions (2) and (3) for allowing the hands-free call by the permission unit 220a are satisfied. These conditions (2) and (3) are as described above, and are determined based on whether or not the other party is a permission terminal and the presence or absence of a passenger. If it is determined that all of these other conditions (2) and (3) are also satisfied, the call flag is set to ON in the subsequent step S43.

  Next, in step S50 of FIG. 10, it is determined whether or not the call flag is set to ON. If it is determined that the call flag is set to ON, in the next step S51, the operation of the hands-free call device is controlled so as to enable hands-free call.

  In a succeeding step S52, it is determined whether or not the hands-free call is ended. For example, when communication between the mobile terminal 10 and the communication terminal 3 is interrupted by a user operation or the like, it is determined that the hands-free call has ended. If it is determined that the call has ended, the call flag is set to OFF in the next step S53. If it is determined that the call has not ended, it is determined in subsequent step S54 whether or not the driving load has changed from the low load state to the high load state. That is, it is determined whether or not the operating load numerical value described above has changed from a state below the first threshold to a state above the second threshold. If it is determined that the state has changed to the high load state, in the subsequent step S55, as illustrated in FIG. 8B, forcible switching from the call state to the call hold state by the call hold unit 220b is executed.

  In subsequent step S56, it is determined whether or not the operating load has returned from the high load state to the low load state. If it is determined that the low load state has not been restored, the process returns to step S55 to continue the hold state. If it is determined that the low load state has been restored, the process proceeds to the next step S57, where the on-hold state is canceled and a state in which a hands-free call is possible is restored.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S54 that no change to the high load state has occurred, it is determined in subsequent step S58 whether or not the operating load has changed from the low load state to the medium load state. In other words, it is determined whether or not the operating load numerical value described above has changed to a state of the first threshold value or more and less than the second threshold value. When it is determined that the state has changed to the medium load state, in the subsequent step S59, alerting by the alerting means 220c is executed.

  If a negative determination is made in either step S54 or S58, that is, if the low load state is maintained, the process returns to step S52 and the process is repeated. Therefore, when the low load state is continued from the start to the end of the hands-free call, the call is ended without executing the call hold in step S55 or the alert in step S59, and the call flag is turned on. Switch off. Then, after executing the hold release in step S57 or the alert in step S59, the process returns to step S52 and the process is repeated.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the permission unit 220a that permits the start of the hands-free call is provided on condition that the load is low. Therefore, since it is avoided that the hands-free call is started in the non-low load state, it is possible to reduce the possibility of reducing the concentration due to the hands-free call when high concentration for driving is required.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when changing from a low load state to a medium load state during a hands-free call, an alerting means 220c for alerting the user that the call is not being performed with a low driving load. Is provided. Therefore, since hands-free calling in a high load state is prohibited, it is possible to suppress a decrease in driving concentration in a high load state.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when the hand-free call is changed to a medium load state during the hands-free call, the call-up means 220c is provided to call attention while allowing the call to be continued without being put on hold. Therefore, when it changes to a medium load state, it will alert you while allowing the call to continue, so you can interrupt the call at a good timing, interrupt the call immediately, continue the call as it is, The call state can be left to the judgment of the driver. Therefore, in a medium load state, it is possible to suppress a decrease in convenience due to forcibly holding during a call.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the condition for permitting the call by the permitting means 220a includes the condition (2) that the other terminal of the call is a permitted terminal. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the annoyance of being able to make a call with the hands-free call device up to a less important call such as a nuisance call.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the condition for permission by the permission means 220a includes a condition (3) in which no passenger other than the driver is present in the vehicle 1. According to this, it is possible to avoid that the passenger hears a call having a content to be kept secret, such as a call content with high privacy.

  Furthermore, the present embodiment includes an on-hold automatic reply unit 220d that automatically replies a predetermined sound on condition that the hold state by the call hold unit 220b has continued for a predetermined time or longer. Therefore, it is possible to avoid giving the user of the communication terminal 3 who is the other party a sense of anxiety due to the automatic switching to the hold state.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the on-hold automatic reply unit 220d performs an automatic reply on the condition that the other terminal of the call is a permitted terminal. Therefore, it is possible to avoid an automatic reply to a partner terminal that is not permitted, such as a nuisance call.

(Other embodiments)
The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made as illustrated below. Not only combinations of parts that clearly show that combinations are possible in each embodiment, but also combinations of the embodiments even if they are not explicitly stated unless there is a problem with the combination. Is also possible.

  It is also possible to provide a control device that has both the function of the reading control device by the ECU 20 and the function of the call control device by the ECU 200, that is, a control device that combines the first and second embodiments.

  In the reading control apparatus according to the first embodiment, the hands-free reading for the received mail is controlled. In addition to this control, the portable terminal 10 may be controlled to transmit the mail in a hands-free manner. . In this case, it is desirable to permit mail transmission on condition that the load is low.

  In the first embodiment, when the reading interruption is canceled by returning from the non-low load state to the low load state, the reading is resumed from the point where the reading is returned from the interruption point. In this case, the longer the incoming message that is to be read out, the longer the amount of the message that is returned upon resumption.

  In the first embodiment, when there is a passenger in the vehicle, reading is prohibited and display of the reading contents on the display device 32 is prohibited, but display of the reading contents on the display device 32 is permitted. You may do it.

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the reading control device or the call control device is provided by the ECUs 20 and 200, but the present invention is not limited to providing the control device only from the ECU, The mobile terminal 10 and the ECU may cooperate to provide a control device. For example, in the first embodiment, the ECU 20 converts the incoming message received by the mobile terminal 10 from the communication terminal 3 into an audio signal. However, the mobile terminal 10 may convert it into an audio signal.

  You may abolish the forced interruption means 22c which concerns on the said 1st Embodiment. That is, even when the sound output is changed from the low load state to the high load state, the continuation and interruption by the continuation interruption unit 22b may be performed as in the case of the change to the medium load state.

  In the permission means 22a according to the first embodiment, reading is permitted on the condition that all of the conditions (1) to (4) are satisfied. However, the reading is performed when at least the condition (1) is satisfied. Start may be allowed. Similarly, the permission means 220a according to the second embodiment permits the start of hands-free calling on condition that all of the conditions (1) to (3) are satisfied, but at least the condition (1) If the condition is satisfied, the start of the call may be permitted.

  In the first embodiment, when reading is resumed after forcible interruption, the incoming message is resumed from a part that has returned from the interruption part, while when it is resumed after continuous interruption, it is resumed from the interruption part. I am letting. On the other hand, when resuming after a continuation interruption, it may be resumed from a place that has returned from the interruption place (that is, the optimum place).

  The incoming message according to the present invention is not limited to mail text data, and may be text data other than mail such as chat, for example, mail text data by a social networking service. The text data is not limited to text data transmitted / received via the Internet line, but may be text data transmitted / received via a telephone line.

  In the second embodiment, when there is a call request from the communication terminal 3, a sound for notifying the driver of the fact is automatically output, and the permission sound by the driver is sent to the microphone 31 for this notification sound. When a call is detected, a call is started. In this case, if the call request is made in a non-low load state, the output of the notification voice is prohibited, and a response voice such as “cannot talk while driving” is sent to the other terminal (communication terminal 3). You may reply automatically. Alternatively, the call may be prohibited after the notification voice is output. Further, the output of the notification sound may be permitted in a middle load state and prohibited in a high load state.

  In the first embodiment, the read incoming message is also displayed on the display 32. However, this display is not always displayed, and may be displayed when a predetermined condition is satisfied. For example, it is displayed when the displayable area size of the display device 32 is equal to or larger than a predetermined size or when the vehicle is stopped.

  In each of the above embodiments, the operation load is divided into three stages of low load, medium load, and high load to control the operation of the reading device and the hands-free communication device. However, the operation load is divided into more stages. Different control may be performed every time.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Reading control apparatus, 22a ... Permit means, 22b ... Continuation interruption means, 30 ... Speaker (reading apparatus) (hands-free call apparatus), 31 ... Microphone (hands-free call apparatus), 200 ... Call control apparatus, 220a ... Permit Means, 220b ... call holding means, 220c ... alerting means.

Claims (15)

In the reading control device (20) for controlling the operating state of the reading device that outputs the voice for reading the incoming message to the driver of the vehicle,
Permission means (22a) for permitting the start of voice output by the reading device on the condition that the driving load for the driver is a low load state that is less than a predetermined value;
When the voice load is changed from the low load state to a non-low load state where the driving load is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the voice output is continued to the optimum location of the incoming message, and then the voice output is performed. Continuation interruption means (22b) for interrupting,
A reading control apparatus comprising: In the non-low load state, when the operating load is a state of a predetermined degree or more as a high load state, and the state of less than a predetermined degree as a medium load state,
The continuation interruption means executes the continuation and the interruption when the low load state changes to the medium load state during the audio output,
When the voice output is changed from the low load state to the high load state, the voice output is forcibly interrupted at the time of the change to the high load state without performing the continuation. The reading control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising interruption means (22c).   After the interruption by the continuous interruption means or the forced interruption means, when resuming the reading that has been interrupted by changing from the non-low load state to the low load state, The reading control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the reading control apparatus restarts from the returned position. When resuming reading that has been interrupted by changing from the high load state to the low load state after the interruption by the forcible interruption means, resume from the point returned from the interruption point in the incoming message. And
3. When resuming reading that has been interrupted by changing from the medium load state to the low load state after the interruption by the continuous interruption unit, the reading is resumed from the interruption point. The reading control device described in 1.   The automatic reply means (22d) for automatically replying a predetermined message to the incoming message on condition that the interruption by the continuous interruption means or the forced interruption means has continued for a predetermined time or more. The reading control apparatus according to any one of 2 to 4.   The reading control apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the automatic reply unit performs the automatic reply on condition that a transmission source of the incoming message is a permitted transmission source.   The condition for the permission by the permission means includes a condition that the incoming message is content related to location, time, or urgency, according to any one of claims 1 to 6. Reading control device.   The condition for permission by the permission means also includes a condition that a transmission source of the incoming message is a permitted transmission source, according to any one of claims 1 to 7. Reading control device.   The condition for permission by the permission means includes a condition that a passenger other than the driver does not exist in the vehicle. The reading control device described.   A reading order determining means (22e) for determining a reading order by the reading apparatus based on contents or a transmission source of the incoming message when there are a plurality of unread incoming messages. The reading control device according to any one of 9. In the call control device (200) for controlling the operation state of the hands-free call device that enables the hands-free call by the driver of the vehicle,
Permission means (220a) for allowing a call by the hands-free call device on the condition that the driving load for the driver is less than a predetermined load condition;
Among the non-low load states in which the driving load is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, when the driving load is greater than or equal to a predetermined level, the high load state and the less than a predetermined level are referred to as medium load states, A call holding means (220b) for placing the call on hold when the low load state changes to the high load state;
When the call is changed from the low load state to the medium load state during the call, the call is continued without being put on hold, and an attention is paid to performing the call in the medium load state Alerting means (220c) to perform,
A call control device comprising:   12. The call control device according to claim 11, wherein the permission condition by the permission means includes a condition that the other terminal of the call is a permitted terminal.   The call control device according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the permission condition by the permission means includes a condition that a passenger other than the driver does not exist in the vehicle. .   14. A holding automatic reply means (220d) for automatically replying a predetermined sound on condition that the on-hold state by the call holding means has continued for a predetermined time or longer. The call control device described in 1.   15. The call control device according to claim 14, wherein the on-hold automatic reply means performs the automatic reply on condition that the other terminal of the call is an authorized terminal.

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