JP2018105749A - Method and device for audio assistance - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an audio assistance in a manner appropriate for each occupant.SOLUTION: The method for audio assistance includes the steps of: determining whether there was detected a feeling of strangeness that an occupant is having to an audio assistance (S2); and changing a manner for the audio assistance (S4 to S7) if the detection of the feeling was determined.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to a voice guidance method and a voice guidance device.

  2. Description of the Related Art A navigation apparatus with a voice guide that determines the timing of guidance by voice message based on a vehicle position on a preset travel route is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 08-128840 A

However, since there are individual differences in the senses and preferences of the occupants, the voice guidance may not be provided in a manner suitable for various occupants only by determining the presentation timing of the voice guidance based on the position of the vehicle.
An object of the present invention is to provide voice guidance in a manner suitable for various passengers.

  In the voice guidance method according to one aspect of the present invention, it is determined whether or not the passenger feels uncomfortable with the voice guidance. If it is determined that the passenger feels uncomfortable, the voice guidance method is changed.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, voice guidance can be performed by a method suitable for various passengers.

It is a figure which shows the example of schematic structure of a vehicle provided with the guide apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of an example of an electroencephalogram measurement. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a function structure of the controller shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing of an example of an electroencephalogram feature-value vector. It is explanatory drawing of an example of a feature space map. It is a flowchart of an example of the voice guidance method which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart of an example of the timing change process shown in FIG. It is a flowchart of an example of the audio guidance method which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart of an example of the audio guidance method which concerns on 3rd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments of the present invention exemplify apparatuses and methods for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and the technical idea of the present invention includes the material, shape, The structure, arrangement, etc. are not specified below. The technical idea of the present invention can be variously modified within the technical scope defined by the claims described in the claims.

(First embodiment)
(Constitution)
Please refer to FIG. The vehicle 1 includes a guidance device 10 that is a voice guidance device according to an aspect of the present invention, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver 20, a map database 21, a beacon receiver 22, and a communication device 23. The vehicle 1 also includes a vehicle travel controller 40, a driving operation sensor group 41, a vehicle control actuator 42, and a vehicle speed sensor 43. In the accompanying drawings, the database is denoted as “DB”.

The guidance device 10 is a navigation device that performs voice search and display of route search, route guidance, road information, and other information.
The guidance device 10 determines the current position based on the destination input by a passenger such as a driver, the current position of the vehicle 1 acquired using the GPS receiver 20, and the map data stored in the map database 21. The travel route of the vehicle 1 from the vehicle to the destination is searched and displayed on the display device 14.

  Further, the guidance device 10 guides the occupant by voice guidance from the vehicle 1 to the destination based on the searched travel route. For example, the guidance device 10 may provide voice directions such as “go straight ahead for a while”, “turn left at an intersection 50 meters ahead”, “turn left at the next intersection”, “coming soon”, “around the destination”, etc. Present. The guidance device 10 may present voice guidance that alerts the occupant, for example, traffic guidance such as “There is a curve ahead”, “There is a railroad crossing ahead”, and the like.

  In addition, the guidance device 10 uses the current position of the vehicle 1 acquired using the GPS receiver 20 and road traffic information (for example, VICS (registered trademark) (Vehicle Information and Communication) information) acquired using the beacon receiver 22. On the basis of the map data stored in the map database 21, road information such as the type of road on which the vehicle is traveling, the occurrence state of traffic jams, regulation information, and parking lot information is acquired.

  The guidance device 10 displays the acquired road information on the display device 14 and presents it to the occupant by voice guidance. The guidance device 10 presents traffic guidance by voice such as “about 10 km ahead, traffic jam”, “about 5 km ahead, no traffic”. When the emergency information or the warning / warning information is received, the guidance device 10 presents voice guidance such as “received the emergency information” or “received the warning / warning information”.

In addition, the guidance device 10 communicates with a data server outside the vehicle 1 via a network such as the Internet or a communication line network, acquires weather information, displays the acquired weather information on the display device 14, and provides voice guidance. To the passenger. The communication device 23 connects the guidance device 10 to a network such as the Internet or a communication line network.
The guidance device 10 may, for example, “we will guide the weather information here. Today ’s weather is sunny. Tomorrow ’s weather is expected to be cloudy. On weekends, it ’s expected to rain from Saturday to Sunday.” Present voice guidance.
Furthermore, the guidance device 10 communicates with a data server outside the vehicle 1 via a network such as the Internet or a communication line network, and acquires POI (Point Of Interest) information regarding a specific point, facility, or area. The POI information may be, for example, information on points such as buildings, facilities, stores, companies, offices, public facilities, entertainment facilities, outdoor facilities, sightseeing spots, scenic spots, and features and areas.

The vehicle travel controller 40 is an electronic control unit that performs vehicle travel control according to the driving operation of the occupant detected by the driving operation sensor group 41. The vehicle travel controller 40 includes a processor and peripheral components such as a storage device. The processor may be, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit).
The storage device may include any one of a semiconductor storage device, a magnetic storage device, and an optical storage device. The storage device may include a register, a cache memory, and a memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory) used as a main storage device.
In addition, you may implement | achieve the vehicle travel controller 40 with the functional logic circuit set in a general purpose semiconductor integrated circuit. For example, the vehicle travel controller 40 may include a programmable logic device (PLD) such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA).

The driving operation sensor group 41 includes an accelerator opening sensor 44, a brake switch 45, and a steering operation amount sensor 46.
The accelerator opening sensor 44 detects the accelerator opening of the vehicle 1 as a driving operation, and outputs a signal indicating the accelerator opening to the vehicle travel controller 40. For example, the accelerator opening sensor 44 detects the depression amount of the accelerator pedal of the vehicle 1 as the accelerator opening.
The brake switch 45 detects the operating state of the vehicle brake operation by the occupant as a driving operation, and outputs a signal indicating the operating state to the vehicle travel controller 40. For example, the brake switch 45 outputs an on-state signal when the occupant depresses the brake pedal, and outputs an off-state signal when the occupant releases the brake pedal.
The brake switch 45 may detect the amount of depression of the brake pedal of the vehicle 1 as an operating state of the brake operation, for example, and output a signal indicating the amount of depression to the vehicle travel controller 40.

The steering operation amount sensor 46 detects the operation amount of the steering wheel of the vehicle 1 as a driving operation, and outputs a signal indicating the detected operation amount to the vehicle travel controller 40. The steering operation amount sensor 46 is provided on a steering shaft or the like. The steering operation amount sensor 46 may detect the turning angle of the steered wheel as information on the operation amount of the steering wheel.
The signals indicating the accelerator opening, the operating state of the brake operation, and the operation amount of the steering wheel that are output from the driving operation sensor group 41 may be collectively referred to as “vehicle signals”.

The vehicle travel controller 40 controls the travel of the vehicle 1 by driving a vehicle control actuator based on the vehicle signal. The vehicle control actuator may include, for example, a steering actuator, an accelerator opening actuator, and a brake control actuator.
The steering actuator controls the steering direction and amount of steering of the vehicle 1. The accelerator opening actuator controls the accelerator opening of the vehicle 1. The brake control actuator controls the braking operation of the brake device of the vehicle 1.
The vehicle speed sensor 43 detects the wheel speed of the vehicle 1 and calculates the speed of the vehicle 1 based on the wheel speed. The vehicle speed sensor 43 outputs a vehicle speed signal indicating the calculated vehicle speed to the vehicle travel controller 40.

(Configuration of the guide device 10)
Next, a configuration example of the guidance device 10 will be described. The guide device 10 includes a controller 11, an electroencephalogram sensor 12, a speaker 13, and a display device 14.
The controller 11 is an electronic control unit that performs voice guidance and display of route search, route guidance, road information, and other information. The controller 11 includes a processor 50 and peripheral components such as a storage device 51. The processor 50 may be a CPU or an MPU, for example.

The storage device 51 may include any one of a semiconductor storage device, a magnetic storage device, and an optical storage device. The storage device 51 may include a register, a cache memory, and a memory such as a ROM and a RAM used as a main storage device.
The controller 11 may be realized by a functional logic circuit set in a general-purpose semiconductor integrated circuit. For example, the controller 11 may have a programmable logic device such as a field programmable gate array.

The storage device 51 stores a computer program that is executed on the processor 50 and causes the controller 11 to execute processing such as route search, route guidance, road information, and voice guidance and display of other information.
In addition, the storage device 51 stores a discomfort database 52 and a guidance database 53.
In the discomfort database 52, an electroencephalogram pattern used for detecting the discomfort of the passenger is stored.
The guidance database 53 stores a voice waveform dictionary in which voice waveform data used for voice guidance processing by the guidance device 10 is registered.

  The electroencephalogram sensor 12 is a sensor that detects an occupant's brain wave as an occupant's physiological index. The electroencephalogram sensor 12 outputs information regarding the detected occupant's electroencephalogram to the controller 11. The controller 11 receives information on the electroencephalogram detected by the electroencephalogram sensor 12. The controller 11 detects the occupant's discomfort based on the electroencephalogram detected by the electroencephalogram sensor 12.

  Please refer to FIG. The electroencephalogram sensor 12 measures an occupant's electroencephalogram signal in real time while driving the vehicle. The electroencephalogram sensor 12 has a plurality of electrodes, and the plurality of electrodes are attached to the head of the occupant. The plurality of electrodes of the electroencephalogram sensor 12 is arranged, for example, in the top of the occupant Fz, Fz, Cz, CPz of an occupant involved in cognitive function in accordance with the International 10-20 Law. The method of attaching the plurality of electrodes of the electroencephalogram sensor 12 to the head is not particularly limited. For example, the electroencephalogram sensor 12 may be composed of a wearable electrode cap so as to be easily placed on the head of the passenger.

Please refer to FIG. The controller 11 compares the brain wave pattern of the current occupant measured in real time with a pre-measured brain wave pattern stored in the uncomfortable database 52 to determine whether the current occupant feels uncomfortable (the occupant feels uncomfortable). Or not).
An example of the functional configuration of the controller 11 is shown in FIG. The controller 11 realizes the functions of the uncomfortable feeling detection unit 60 and the voice guidance adjustment unit 61. For example, the controller 11 may realize the functions of the uncomfortable feeling detection unit 60 and the voice guidance adjustment unit 61 by causing the processor 50 to execute a computer program stored in the storage device 51.

In the discomfort database 52, for example, feature vectors P of the brain wave potential of the occupant when an event that causes the occupant to feel uncomfortable and the potential of the electroencephalogram when the event that causes the discomfort is generated are stored. The feature space map plotted in the feature space may be stored.
For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the feature vector P extracts N feature amounts p1, p2,..., PN from an electroencephalogram signal of a predetermined time T (for example, 500 milliseconds), and these are extracted as feature vectors P = (p1, p2,..., pN). As the feature amount, for example, a value sampled at regular intervals can be used.
FIG. 5 shows an example of the feature space map 80. A hatched round plot point P1 indicates a feature vector when the occupant feels uncomfortable, and an unhatched round plot point P2 indicates a feature vector when the occupant does not feel discomfort. .

The feature vector P1 when the occupant feels uncomfortable tends to concentrate on a certain region in the feature space. Similarly, the feature vector P2 when the occupant does not feel discomfort also tends to concentrate in a certain region.
In the example of FIG. 5, the feature vector P1 when the occupant feels uncomfortable is concentrated in the region D1 at the upper left, and the feature vector P2 when the occupant does not feel the discomfort is relatively lower right. Are concentrated in the area D2.

By plotting the feature vector P1 when such an occupant feels uncomfortable and the feature vector P2 when the occupant does not feel uncomfortable on the feature space to create a feature space map 80, the feature vector P1 becomes It is possible to set a discrimination plane 81 that divides the range that can be taken from the range that the feature vector P2 can take. The discrimination plane 81 can be set using, for example, a linear discrimination method.
In the example of FIG. 5, if the feature vector Pc of the current brain wave of the occupant is located above the discrimination plane 81, the uncomfortable feeling detection unit 60 determines that the occupant feels uncomfortable, that is, has detected the uncomfortable feeling of the occupant. To do.
If the feature vector Pc of the current brain wave of the occupant is located below the discrimination plane 81, the uncomfortable feeling detection unit 60 determines that the occupant does not feel uncomfortable, that is, has not detected the uncomfortable feeling of the occupant. The discomfort detection unit 60 outputs the determination result to the voice guidance adjustment unit 61.

Please refer to FIG. The voice guidance adjusting unit 61 generates voice guidance for voice guidance of route guidance, traffic guidance, weather information, POI information, and the like, and outputs the voice guidance from the speaker 13.
The voice guidance adjustment unit 61 includes a content setting unit 62, a guidance information acquisition unit 63, a factor determination unit 64, a timing setting unit 65, and a presentation method setting unit 66.

The content setting unit 62 sets the content of voice guidance. The “content” of the voice guidance means the voice guidance information itself, that is, the content, and also the wording used to express the voice guidance information, that is, wording and wording.
The content setting unit 62 uses the GPS receiver 20 to generate text for voice guidance that guides the vehicle 1 to the destination based on the current position of the vehicle 1 and the map data stored in the map database 21.
Further, the content setting unit 62 generates text for traffic guidance based on the current position of the vehicle 1 acquired using the GPS receiver 20 and the road traffic information acquired using the beacon receiver 22.

The content setting unit 62 also generates text for voice guidance of weather information and POI information acquired from an external data server. The guidance information acquisition unit 63 acquires these weather information and POI information from a data server outside the vehicle 1.
The content setting unit 62 generates voice data for voice guidance by converting the generated text into voice data based on the voice waveform dictionary stored in the guidance database 53.

When the generated voice data is output from the speaker 13, the uncomfortable feeling detection unit 60 determines whether or not an uncomfortable feeling of the passenger with respect to the voice guidance is detected.
When it is determined that the passenger feels uncomfortable with the voice guidance, the voice guidance adjustment unit 61 changes the voice guidance method. The change of the voice guidance method includes, for example, a change of the content of the voice guidance to be presented, a change of the timing of the voice guidance, or a change of the voice guidance presentation method.

  When an uncomfortable feeling of the passenger with respect to the voice guidance is detected, the factor determination unit 64 makes the passenger feel uncomfortable with any of the timing of the voice guidance, the content of the voice guidance, and the presentation method of the voice guidance according to the detection mode of the unnatural feeling. It is determined.

For example, if an occupant discomfort is detected immediately after the start of voice guidance, it is considered that the occupant feels uncomfortable before listening to the voice guidance sufficiently. Is likely to feel uncomfortable with the timing of voice guidance.
Therefore, when a sense of incongruity is detected immediately after the start of voice guidance, the factor determination unit 64 determines that the occupant felt a sense of incongruity in the timing of voice guidance. For example, the factor determination unit 64 may determine that an uncomfortable feeling of the occupant has been detected immediately after the start of the voice guidance when the uncomfortable feeling is detected before the predetermined time Th elapses after the voice guidance starts. That is, in the present specification, “immediately after” the start of voice guidance means a period within a predetermined time Th from the start time of voice guidance.

If a sense of incongruity is detected immediately after the start of voice guidance, that is, after a predetermined time Th has elapsed since the voice guidance started, it is considered that the passenger feels uncomfortable after sufficiently listening to the voice guidance. Therefore, there is a high possibility that either the content of the voice guidance or the presentation method of the voice guidance is uncomfortable.
For this reason, when a sense of incongruity is detected immediately after the start of voice guidance, the factor determination unit 64 determines that the occupant felt a sense of incongruity in either the contents of voice guidance or the presentation method of voice guidance. “After immediately after the start of voice guidance” may include a period after a predetermined time Th has elapsed from the start of voice guidance and before completion of voice guidance, and a period after completion of voice guidance.

In this case, the factor determination unit 64 determines, for example, whether or not the occupant has a sense of discomfort in the past in the same voice guidance.
When it is determined that the occupant has felt uncomfortable with the same content in the past, the factor determination unit 64 determines that the occupant has felt uncomfortable with the content of the voice guidance. When it is determined that the occupant has not felt uncomfortable with the same content in the past, the factor determination unit 64 determines that the occupant has felt uncomfortable in the voice guidance presentation method.

In addition, the factor determination unit 64 determines the contents of the voice guidance or the voice guidance presentation method depending on whether or not the voice guidance that is output from when the voice guidance is started to when the sense of incongruity is detected can be meaningful. It may be determined whether the occupant feels something wrong with either.
For example, when the output voice guidance is completed as a sentence, the subject and the predicate are included, and the characteristic proper noun is included, the factor determination unit 64 can make the voice guidance meaningful. You may judge.

If the output voice guidance text is interrupted, the characteristic noun is not included, or the part of speech is not completed, the factor determination unit 64 determines that meaning cannot be given to the voice guidance. It's okay.
The factor determination unit 64 determines that the content of the voice guidance is uncomfortable when the meaning can be given to the voice guidance, and determines that the voice guidance presentation method feels strange when the meaning cannot be given to the voice guidance. You can do it.

The timing setting unit 65 sets voice guidance timing, that is, output timing. The timing setting unit 65 may set the output timing of voice guidance based on, for example, the current position of the vehicle 1 measured using the GPS receiver 20 and the map data read from the map database 21.
For example, in the case of route guidance such as “turn left at the next intersection”, the timing setting unit 65 calculates a distance D from the current position to the guidance position (the position of “intersection” in this example).

The timing setting unit 65 may set a point in time when the distance D from the current position to the guidance position is equal to or less than a predetermined set distance Do as the voice guidance output timing.
Further, for example, the timing setting unit 65 may calculate the required time Tr required to reach the guide position based on the distance D from the current position to the guide position and the vehicle speed signal acquired from the vehicle travel controller 40. The timing setting unit 65 may set the time point when the required time Tr is equal to or less than the predetermined set time To as the output timing of the voice guidance.

When the passenger feels uncomfortable with the voice guidance timing, the timing setting unit 65 changes the voice guidance timing.
For example, the timing setting unit 65 may change the output timing of the voice guidance according to the driving operation of the passenger performed after the voice guidance is started when the passenger feels uncomfortable with the timing of the voice guidance.
For example, when an abrupt driving operation is performed after the start of voice guidance, there is a high possibility that the current voice guidance output timing is too late for the passenger and voice guidance is not in time. On the other hand, when a slow driving operation is performed after the start of voice guidance, the output timing of the current voice guidance is too early for the passenger, so there is a high possibility that the passenger starts driving operation too early.

Therefore, for example, the timing setting unit 65 advances the voice guidance output timing when a sudden driving operation is performed after the start of the voice guidance, and performs voice guidance when the slow driving operation is performed after the voice guidance is started. Delay output timing.
For example, the timing setting unit 65 may advance the output timing by increasing the set distance Do and the set time To. For example, the timing setting unit 65 may advance the output timing by reducing the set distance Do and the set time To.

“Abrupt driving operation” means a driving operation in which the time change of the operation amount of an operator such as an accelerator, a brake, or a steering wheel is larger than a predetermined allowable range, and “slow driving operation” means, for example, It means a driving operation in which the time change of the operation amount of the operator is smaller than a predetermined allowable range.
The timing setting unit 65 acquires a vehicle signal indicating the operation amount of these operators from the vehicle travel controller 40.
Alternatively, the timing setting unit 65 determines that an abrupt driving operation has been performed when the time change of the operation amount of the operation element is larger than a predetermined threshold, and the time change of the operation amount of the operation element is smaller than this threshold value. In this case, it may be determined that a slow driving operation has been performed.

When the occupant feels uncomfortable in the content of the voice guidance, the content setting unit 62 changes the content of the voice guidance to be presented or stops the voice guidance of the content that feels uncomfortable.
For example, the content setting unit 62 changes the wording or wording used for expressing the information of the voice guidance as the contents of the voice guidance. That is, the content setting unit 62 changes the voice guidance wording and wording of the same content.

For example, the case of route guidance for guiding that the content of voice guidance turns left on a T-shaped road ahead of the vehicle will be described as an example. In this case, there are a plurality of phrases such as “Turn left at the next intersection”, “Turn left at the next T-junction”, and “Left along the road” for the same content.
The content setting unit 62 selects a phrase from which the occupant does not feel uncomfortable from a plurality of phrases stored in the guidance database 53.
For example, the content setting unit 62 sets priorities for the plurality of phrases stored in the guidance database 53 in the order of general usage frequency. The content setting unit 62 may select a wording that does not cause the passenger to feel uncomfortable by changing the wording in order of priority, until the passenger does not feel discomfort in the voice guidance.

The content setting unit 62 may change the content as the content of the voice guidance. For example, when the occupant feels uncomfortable with the content of the first classification, the classification of the content of the voice guidance to be provided may be changed to a second classification different from the first classification.
For example, the content setting unit 62 classifies the POI information, which is content, into categories such as “restaurant”, “public facility”, “entertainment facility”, and “sightseeing spot”, and feels uncomfortable with the POI information of “restaurant”. , The guidance of POI information of “Restaurant” may be stopped. For example, the content setting unit 62 may change the classification of the provided POI information from “restaurant” to “tourist spot”.

  The presentation method setting unit 66 sets a voice guidance presentation method. The “presentation method” of voice guidance means, for example, whether or not a noise filter is applied and its intensity, voice volume, voice pitch (ie, height), speech speed, pitch, intonation, and voice pattern. Here, the voice pattern means the voice quality of voice guidance. For example, the voice quality may include a male voice, a female voice, a young voice, a middle-aged voice, and an elderly voice.

When the passenger feels uncomfortable with the voice guidance presentation method, the presentation method setting unit 66 changes the voice guidance presentation method.
For example, the presentation method setting unit 66 may classify each of voice volume, voice pitch, speech speed, pitch, intonation, voice pattern, and the like. The presentation method setting unit 66 may change the classification of these presentation methods until the user feels uncomfortable, and may set a presentation method that does not feel uncomfortable.

(Operation)
Next, an example of the voice guidance method according to the first embodiment will be described. Please refer to FIG.
In step S1, the voice guidance adjustment unit 61 starts voice guidance.
In step S2, the uncomfortable feeling detection unit 60 determines whether or not the passenger feels uncomfortable with the voice guidance started in step S1 in order to determine whether or not the voice guidance method needs to be changed. If an uncomfortable feeling is detected (step S2: Y), the process proceeds to step S3. If no sense of incongruity is detected (step S2: N), the voice guidance is completed without executing the subsequent process for changing the voice guidance method, and the process ends.

  In step S <b> 3, the factor determination unit 64 determines whether or not the sense of discomfort is immediately after the start of voice guidance in order to determine whether or not the passenger feels uncomfortable with the timing of voice guidance. When the sense of discomfort is detected immediately after the start of voice guidance (step S3: Y), the factor determination unit 64 determines that the voice guidance timing is uncomfortable, and the process proceeds to step S4. If the sense of discomfort is not detected immediately after the start of voice guidance (step S3: N), the factor determination unit 64 determines that either the content of voice guidance or the presentation method of voice guidance is uncomfortable, and the process is Proceed to step S5.

In step S4, the timing setting unit 65 executes a timing change process for changing the voice guidance timing in order to eliminate the discomfort of the passenger with respect to the voice guidance timing.
The timing change process will be described with reference to FIG.
In step S10, the timing setting unit 65 determines whether or not an abrupt driving operation has been performed and whether or not a slow driving operation has been performed. Is acquired from the vehicle travel controller 40.

In step S11, the timing setting unit 65 determines whether or not an abrupt driving operation has been performed based on the vehicle signal. If an abrupt driving operation is performed (step S11: Y), the process proceeds to step S12. When a rapid driving operation is not performed, that is, when a slow driving operation is performed (step S11: N), the process proceeds to step S13.
When an abrupt driving operation is performed, there is a high possibility that the current voice guidance timing is too late for the passenger and the voice guidance is not in time. In step S12, the timing setting unit 65 advances the voice guidance timing. Thereafter, the process ends.

When a slow driving operation is performed, there is a high possibility that the current voice guidance timing is too early for the occupant and the occupant starts the driving operation too early. Therefore, in step S13, the timing setting unit 65 delays the voice guidance timing. Thereafter, the process ends.
Please refer to FIG.
In step S <b> 5, the factor determination unit 64 determines whether the occupant has felt uncomfortable in the past in the voice guidance having the same content in order to determine whether the occupant felt uncomfortable in either the content of the voice guidance or the presentation method. To do.

  When it is determined that the occupant has previously felt uncomfortable with the voice guidance having the same content (step S5: Y), the factor determination unit 64 determines that the content of the voice guidance is uncomfortable, and the process proceeds to step S6. move on. If the occupant has not felt uncomfortable with the voice guidance having the same content in the past (step S5: N), the factor determination unit 64 determines that the voice guidance presentation method does not feel uncomfortable, and the process proceeds to step S7. move on.

In step S <b> 6, the content setting unit 62 changes the content of the voice guidance to be presented, or executes a guidance content change process for stopping the voice guidance of the content that is uncomfortable. Thereafter, the process ends.
In step S7, the presentation method setting unit 66 executes a presentation method change process for changing the voice guidance presentation method. Thereafter, the process ends.

(Effect of 1st Embodiment)
(1) The voice guidance adjustment unit 61 executes a process of outputting voice guidance from the speaker 13. The uncomfortable feeling detection unit 60 executes a process of determining whether or not an uncomfortable feeling of the passenger with respect to the voice guidance output from the speaker 13 is detected. When it is determined that the passenger feels uncomfortable, the content setting unit 62, the timing setting unit 65, or the presentation method setting unit 66 executes a process of changing the voice guidance method.
For this reason, since the method of voice guidance can be adjusted according to the occupant's senses and preferences, voice guidance can be performed by a method suitable for various passengers.

(2) There are various factors that cause the passenger to feel uncomfortable with the voice guidance. The factor determination unit 64 determines which of the voice guidance timing, the voice guidance presentation method, and the content of the voice guidance the occupant felt uncomfortable.
If it is determined that the voice guidance timing is uncomfortable, the timing setting unit 65 changes the voice guidance timing.
When it is determined that the voice guidance presenting method is uncomfortable, the presentation method setting unit 66 changes the voice guidance presenting method.
When it is determined that the content of the voice guidance has a sense of incongruity, the content setting unit 62 changes the content of the voice guidance or stops the voice guidance of the content that has a sense of discomfort.
This eliminates the occupant's uncomfortable feeling according to the cause of the uncomfortable feeling and enables voice guidance by a method suitable for the occupant.

  (3) If a passenger feels uncomfortable before the predetermined time has elapsed since the start of voice guidance, the passenger may feel uncomfortable before listening sufficiently to the voice guidance. There is a high possibility that the timing is uncomfortable. For this reason, the factor determination unit 64 determines that an uncomfortable feeling is felt in the timing of the voice guidance. Thereby, it can be appropriately determined that the cause of discomfort is the timing of voice guidance.

  (4) If it is detected that the passenger feels uncomfortable after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the voice guidance and before the completion of the voice guidance, the passenger may feel uncomfortable after sufficiently listening to the voice guidance. It is highly likely that either the content of the voice guidance or the presentation method of the voice guidance is uncomfortable. For this reason, the factor determination unit 64 determines that the voice guidance presentation method or content is uncomfortable. Thereby, it can be appropriately determined that the cause of the uncomfortable feeling is the presentation method or content of the voice guidance.

  (5) Even if the passenger feels uncomfortable after completing the voice guidance, it is considered that the passenger feels uncomfortable after listening to the voice guidance sufficiently. There is a high possibility that you will feel a sense of discomfort. For this reason, the factor determination unit 64 determines that the voice guidance presentation method or content is uncomfortable. Thereby, it can be appropriately determined that the cause of the uncomfortable feeling is the presentation method or content of the voice guidance.

(6) If a sudden driving operation is performed after determining that the voice guidance timing is uncomfortable, it is highly possible that the current voice guidance output timing is too late for the passenger and the voice guidance is not in time. . For this reason, the timing setting unit 65 advances the timing of voice guidance.
On the other hand, if a slow driving operation is performed after it is determined that the voice guidance timing is uncomfortable, the current voice guidance output timing is too early for the passenger, and the passenger starts driving operation too early. There is a high possibility. Therefore, the timing setting unit 65 delays the voice guidance timing. As a result, it is possible to appropriately determine whether the voice guidance timing should be advanced or delayed.

  (7) After determining that the content of the voice guidance is uncomfortable, the content setting unit 62 selects the content of the voice guidance that the occupant does not feel uncomfortable from the content of the plurality of voice guidance stored in the guidance database 53 To do. Thereby, the content setting part 62 can eliminate the discomfort of the passenger with respect to the content of the voice guidance.

(Modification)
In place of the electroencephalogram sensor 12, the guidance device 10 may include a sensor that detects another physiological index of the occupant indicating brain activity or the like. For example, a sensor that detects a physiological index may detect an occupant's cerebral blood flow, heart rate, respiratory rate, and sweat rate as a physiological index. For example, a sensor for detecting a physiological index may include a near-infrared light emitting probe and a light-receiving probe, and measure the state of cerebral blood flow of the occupant from the near-infrared absorbance.
The discomfort detection unit 60 may measure the occupant's brain activity based on these physiological indices to determine whether or not there is a discomfort. As a result, it is possible to appropriately detect the discomfort of the passenger.
Further, instead of the occupant's brain wave, the occupant's face image may be detected as a physiological index. The guide device 10 may include an imaging device installed in front of the passenger compartment of the vehicle 1 so as to face the front of the occupant instead of the brain wave sensor 12. The discomfort detection unit 60 may perform image analysis on the occupant's face image captured by the imaging device, and may determine whether there is discomfort based on the occupant's brain activity estimated from the analysis result. As a result, it is possible to appropriately detect the discomfort of the passenger.
Further, instead of the occupant's brain wave, the occupant's autonomic nerve activity may be detected as a physiological index. The uncomfortable feeling detection unit 60 may determine the presence or absence of uncomfortable feeling based on the occupant's autonomic nervous activity amount. As a result, it is possible to appropriately detect the discomfort of the passenger.

(Second Embodiment)
Then, the guidance apparatus 10 of 2nd Embodiment is demonstrated. When the guidance device 10 according to the second embodiment detects an uncomfortable feeling of the occupant immediately after the voice guidance starts (that is, before a predetermined time elapses after the voice guidance starts), the guidance device 10 first changes the timing of the voice guidance. Even if the timing of the voice guidance is changed, if it is determined that the passenger feels uncomfortable with the voice guidance, the voice guidance presentation method or the voice content is changed.

  As a result, when the voice guidance feels uncomfortable immediately after the start, it is highly likely that the voice guidance timing is uncomfortable, so that the voice guidance timing can be preferentially changed. And even though the voice guidance feels uncomfortable immediately after the start, if the cause of the uncomfortable feeling is not the timing of the voice guidance, factors other than the timing can be changed to eliminate the uncomfortable feeling of the occupant.

An example of the voice guidance method according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The configuration of the guide device 10 and the functional configuration of the controller 11 according to the second embodiment are the same as the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1 and the functional configuration illustrated in FIG. 3, respectively.
The process of steps S20 to S22 is the same as the process of steps S1 to S3 shown in FIG. When the sense of discomfort is detected immediately after the start of voice guidance (step S22: Y), the factor determination unit 64 determines that there is a possibility that the voice guidance timing may feel strange, and the process proceeds to step S23. When the sense of discomfort is not detected immediately after the start of voice guidance (step S22: N), the factor determination unit 64 determines that either the contents of the voice guidance or the presentation method of voice guidance is uncomfortable, and the process is as follows. Proceed to step S25.

In step S <b> 23, the factor determination unit 64 changes the timing after the time point when the occupant's discomfort is not detected to the state where the occupant's discomfort is detected (that is, the period from the detection start of the discomfort to the present). Whether or not has been executed is determined.
When the timing change has been executed (step S23: Y), the factor determination unit 64 determines that the voice guidance timing does not feel uncomfortable, and the process proceeds to step S25. When the timing change has not been executed (step S23: N), the factor determination unit 64 determines that there is a possibility that the voice guidance timing may be uncomfortable, and the process proceeds to step S24.
The processing of steps S24 to S27 is the same as the processing of steps S4 to S7 shown in FIG.

(Effect of 2nd Embodiment)
The timing setting unit 65 changes the timing of the voice guidance when the passenger feels uncomfortable before the predetermined time has elapsed since the voice guidance started.
When it is determined that the passenger feels uncomfortable with the voice guidance after changing the voice guidance timing, the presentation method setting unit 66 changes the presentation method of the voice guidance. Alternatively, if it is determined that the passenger feels uncomfortable with the voice guidance after the timing of the voice guidance is changed, the content setting unit 62 changes the content of the voice guidance or provides a voice guidance with a content that feels uncomfortable. Stop.

  As a result, when the voice guidance feels uncomfortable immediately after the start, it is highly likely that the voice guidance timing is uncomfortable, so the voice guidance timing can be preferentially changed. And even though the voice guidance feels uncomfortable immediately after the start, if the cause of the uncomfortable feeling is not the timing of the voice guidance, factors other than the timing can be changed to eliminate the uncomfortable feeling of the occupant.

(Third embodiment)
Then, the guidance apparatus 10 of 3rd Embodiment is demonstrated. The voice guidance includes voice guidance that depends on position information and voice guidance that does not depend on position information. For example, route guidance such as "Turn left at the next intersection", traffic guidance such as "There is a curve ahead", "About 10km ahead, traffic jam", POI information is based on the current position and guidance position of the vehicle Since it is performed, the voice guidance depends on position information. On the other hand, weather information and emergency information may be performed regardless of the current position of the vehicle. In such a case, voice guidance that does not depend on position information is used.

  Since the voice guidance that does not depend on the position information is generated at an arbitrary timing, it is considered that an occupant rarely feels uncomfortable with the voice guidance timing. For this reason, when the guidance device 10 of the third embodiment detects an occupant's uncomfortable feeling with respect to the voice guidance that does not depend on the position information, the voice guidance presentation method or the content of the voice guidance, which is a factor other than the timing, is given priority. Change. Even if a factor other than the timing is changed, the timing of the voice guidance is changed when a sense of incongruity with the voice guidance that does not depend on the position information is detected thereafter.

An example of the voice guidance method according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The configuration of the guide device 10 and the functional configuration of the controller 11 of the third embodiment are the same as the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1 and the functional configuration illustrated in FIG. 3, respectively.
The process of steps S30 to S31 is the same as the process of steps S1 to S2 shown in FIG. If an uncomfortable feeling is detected (step S31: Y), the process proceeds to step S32. If no sense of incongruity is detected (step S31: N), the voice guidance is completed without executing the subsequent processes for changing the voice guidance method, and the process ends.

  In step S <b> 32, the factor determination unit 64 determines whether or not the output voice guidance is guidance depending on position information. When the voice guidance is guidance that depends on the position information (step S32: Y), the factor determination unit 64 determines that there is a high possibility that the voice guidance timing is uncomfortable, and the process proceeds to step S33. . When the voice guidance is not guidance depending on the position information (step S32: N), the factor determination unit 64 determines that there is little possibility of feeling uncomfortable with the timing of voice guidance, and the process proceeds to step S34.

The process of step S33 is the same as the process of step S4 shown in FIG.
In step S <b> 34, the factor determination unit 64 presents the presentation method after the time point when the occupant's discomfort is detected is changed to the state where the occupant's discomfort is detected (that is, the period from the detection start of the discomfort to the present). Alternatively, it is determined whether or not the guidance content has been changed.

When the change of the presentation method or the guidance content has been executed (step S34: Y), the factor determination unit 64 determines that the voice guidance timing is uncomfortable, and the process proceeds to step S33.
When the change of the presentation method or the guidance content has not been executed (step S34: N), the factor determination unit 64 determines that there is a possibility that the presentation method or the guidance content may be uncomfortable, and the process proceeds to step S35. .
The processing of steps S35 to S37 is the same as the processing of steps S5 to S7 shown in FIG.

(Effect of the third embodiment)
When the passenger feels uncomfortable with the voice guidance that does not depend on the position information, the presentation method setting unit 66 changes the voice guidance presentation method. If the passenger feels uncomfortable with the voice guidance that does not depend on the position information after the voice guidance presentation method is changed, the timing setting unit 65 changes the timing of the voice guidance.
Or when the passenger | crew's discomfort with respect to the voice guidance which does not depend on position information is detected, the content setting part 62 changes the content of a voice guidance, or stops the voice guidance of the content which felt discomfort. The timing setting unit 65 changes the timing of the voice guidance when the passenger feels uncomfortable with the voice guidance that does not depend on the position information after changing the content of the voice guidance or after stopping the voice guidance of the content that felt uncomfortable. To do.

  Thereby, when the passenger | crew's uncomfortable feeling with respect to the voice guidance which does not depend on position information is detected, the presentation method of voice guidance or the content of voice guidance which is factors other than timing can be changed first. Even if a factor other than the timing is changed, when the passenger feels uncomfortable with the voice guidance that does not depend on the position information, the timing of the voice guidance can be changed to eliminate the passenger's uncomfortable feeling.

  It goes without saying that the present invention includes various embodiments not described herein. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is defined only by the invention specifying matters according to the scope of claims reasonable from the above description.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle, 10 ... Guide apparatus, 11 ... Controller, 12 ... EEG sensor, 13 ... Speaker, 14 ... Display device, 20 ... GPS receiver, 21 ... Map database, 22 ... Beacon receiver, 23 ... Communication device, 40 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Vehicle travel controller, 41 ... Driving operation sensor group, 42 ... Vehicle control actuator, 43 ... Vehicle speed sensor, 44 ... Accelerator opening sensor, 45 ... Brake switch, 46 ... Steering operation amount sensor, 50 ... Processor, 51 ... Storage device 52 ... Discomfort database, 53 ... Guidance database, 60 ... Discomfort detection unit, 61 ... Voice guidance adjustment unit, 62 ... Content setting unit, 63 ... Guidance information acquisition unit, 64 ... Factor determination unit, 65 ... Timing setting unit, 66 … Presentation method setting part

Claims (11)

Processing to output voice guidance from the speaker;
A process of determining whether or not a sense of discomfort of the occupant with respect to the voice guidance is detected;
When it is determined that the passenger feels uncomfortable, a process for changing the method of voice guidance;
A voice guidance method characterized in that the controller executes. Determine which of the timing of the voice guidance, the voice guidance presentation method, and the content of the voice guidance the occupant felt uncomfortable,
If it ’s determined that the voice guidance timing is uncomfortable, change the voice guidance timing,
If it ’s determined that the voice guidance presentation method is uncomfortable, change the voice guidance presentation method,
If it ’s determined that you feel uncomfortable with the content of the voice guidance, you can either change the content of the voice guidance, or stop the voice guidance
The voice guidance method according to claim 1.   3. The voice guidance method according to claim 2, wherein when a sense of incongruity of the occupant is detected before the elapse of a predetermined time from the start of voice guidance, it is determined that the sense of strangeness is felt in the timing of voice guidance.   The voice guidance presenting method or content is determined to be uncomfortable when the occupant feels uncomfortable after the predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the voice guidance and before the completion of the voice guidance. 3. The voice guidance method according to 3.   The voice guidance method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein when a sense of incongruity of the occupant is detected after voice guidance is completed, it is determined that the voice guidance presentation method or content is uncomfortable. .   When a sudden driving operation is performed after it has been determined that the voice guidance timing is uncomfortable, the voice guidance timing is advanced, and when it is determined that the voice guidance timing is uncomfortable, a slow driving operation is performed The voice guidance method according to claim 2, wherein the voice guidance timing is delayed.   The content of the voice guidance that the occupant does not feel uncomfortable is selected from the contents of the plurality of voice guidance stored in the database after determining that the content of the voice guidance is uncomfortable. The voice guidance method according to claim 6. If the occupant feels uncomfortable before the predetermined time has elapsed since the start of voice guidance, the timing of voice guidance is changed,
When it is determined that the passenger feels uncomfortable with the voice guidance after the voice guidance timing is changed, the presentation method of the voice guidance is changed.
The voice guidance method according to claim 1. If the occupant feels uncomfortable with voice guidance that does not depend on location information, change the voice guidance presentation method,
If the passenger's discomfort is detected with respect to the voice guidance that does not depend on the position information after the voice guidance presentation method is changed, the timing of the voice guidance is changed.
The voice guidance method according to claim 1.   The occupant's uncomfortable feeling is detected based on a physiological index including at least one of the occupant's brain activity, the occupant's autonomic nerve activity amount, and the occupant's face image. The voice guidance method according to any one of the above. A sensor for detecting an occupant's physiological index;
A speaker for outputting voice guidance;
Based on the occupant's physiological index detected by the sensor, it is determined whether the occupant feels uncomfortable with the voice guidance output from the speaker, and when it is determined that the occupant feels uncomfortable, A controller for changing the voice guidance method to be output;
A voice guidance device comprising:

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