JP2019109657A - Navigation device and navigation method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To make a route search for a course that a user targets from a word or phrase including ambiguity.SOLUTION: A navigation device 1 comprises: a current position information acquisition unit 11 which acquires a current position of a vehicle; an input control unit 15 which controls input of commands from a user; an ambiguity determination unit 21 which determines whether a command of a user whose input is controlled through processing of the input control unit 15 includes a relative word or phrase; a route analysis unit 22 which estimates a destination and an analyzes a route on the basis of a determination result of the ambiguity determination unit 21 and the current position of the vehicle acquired by the current position information acquisition unit 11; and an audio data output control unit 23 and a display control unit 25 which control output of an analysis result by the route analysis unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation device, a navigation method, and a program.

  A navigation device mounted on a vehicle such as a car searches for a route to a point designated as a destination by the user, displays the search result together with a map around the vehicle position, and the user easily aims the vehicle with certainty It can help to get the vehicle to the ground. In these navigation devices, it is possible to input a destination by key operation provided on an input device such as a remote controller or using a voice recognition function.

  Conventionally, the preference information of the passenger is recorded, the passenger is recognized, and the facility to be the destination desired by the passenger is estimated from the content of the normal conversation of the passenger in the passenger compartment and the preference information of the passenger, There is a technique of proposing an estimated destination based on the estimation result (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP, 2006-195637, A

  The navigation device presents to the user the shortest route from the current position to the destination designated by the user or a route meeting the various conditions.

  The technology described in Patent Document 1 described above is to estimate a facility or the like that matches the preference of the user, using the speech-recognized word as a clue, set it as a destination, and search for a route.

  However, during actual driving, there are cases where the route is incorrect, the memory of the route is ambiguous, and it is desirable to return to the place where the vehicle passed. In that case, the user's natural speech is, for example, "A corner of the corner, I want to turn to the right.", "Yes, there is a florist around this, and a corner beyond that." "I want to go back because there was a cute shop", etc., do not specify a specific destination. In such a case, it is difficult for the user to clearly instruct the navigation device of the destination. Moreover, even if it uses patent document 1 mentioned above, it is difficult to estimate a destination from these utterances.

  Therefore, the present invention has an object to solve the above-mentioned problems, that is, to provide a navigation device, a navigation method, and a program capable of performing route search of a route aimed by a user from words including ambiguity. Do.

  In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of a navigation device according to the present invention includes a current position information acquisition unit that acquires a current position of a vehicle, an input control unit that controls input of a command from a user, and an input control unit. Based on the determination unit that determines whether a relative phrase is included in the command of the user whose input is controlled by the process, the determination result by the determination unit, and the current position of the vehicle acquired by the current position information acquisition unit And a route analysis unit that estimates a destination and analyzes a route, and an output control unit that controls an output of an analysis result by the route analysis unit.

  One aspect of the navigation method of the present invention is a user whose input is controlled by the processing of an input control step of acquiring current position information of a vehicle, an input control step of controlling an input of a command from a user, and an input control step. The destination is determined based on the determination step of determining whether or not the relative command is included in the command of the command, the determination result by the processing of the determination step, and the current position of the vehicle acquired by the processing of the current position information acquisition step. , And an output control step of controlling an output of an analysis result by the processing of the route analysis step.

  One aspect of a program according to the present invention includes, in a computer mounted on a vehicle, a current position information acquiring step of acquiring a current position of the vehicle, an input control step of controlling an input of a command from a user, and Step of determining whether a relative phrase is included in the command of the user whose input is controlled by the step, the determination result by the process of the determining step, and the current of the vehicle acquired by the process of the current position information acquiring step It is characterized in that processing including a route analysis step of estimating a destination and analyzing a route based on the position and an output control step of controlling an output of an analysis result by the processing of the route analysis step is performed.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to search for a route that the user intends from a phrase including ambiguity.

It is a figure for demonstrating the function structure of the navigation apparatus 1. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram for describing information registered in a relative word / phrase database 31. FIG. 7 is a diagram for describing an example of route analysis when an instruction from a user includes an ambiguity. FIG. 7 is a diagram for describing an example of route analysis when an instruction from a user includes an ambiguity. FIG. 7 is a diagram for describing an example of route analysis when an instruction from a user includes an ambiguity. FIG. 7 is a diagram for describing an example of route analysis when an instruction from a user includes an ambiguity. FIG. 7 is a diagram for describing an example of route analysis when an instruction from a user includes an ambiguity. FIG. 7 is a diagram for describing an example of route analysis when an instruction from a user includes an ambiguity. FIG. 7 is a diagram for describing an example of route analysis when an instruction from a user includes an ambiguity. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a navigation process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating relative phrase corresponding | compatible route analysis processing. It is a flowchart for demonstrating relative phrase corresponding | compatible route analysis processing.

  Hereinafter, an information transmitting and receiving system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The functional configuration of the navigation device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  The navigation device 1 is mounted on a vehicle such as a car, searches for a route to a point aimed by the user based on an operation input of the user such as a driver, and displays a search result along with a map around the vehicle position. , Helps the user to easily and reliably arrive at the destination. The navigation device 1 is set, for example, as a place designated by an address, a predetermined facility, a place designated by the user operating an input device such as a touch panel, or voice analysis of the contents uttered by the user. And the route to the destination can be retrieved and presented to the user. In addition, this navigation device 1 is, for example, a term including ambiguity such as "right ahead of the corner ...", "this end of the florist ...", ie, not absolute but relative Voice analysis of the user's speech including words and phrases indicating a certain positional relationship is carried out to assist the user to cause the vehicle to arrive at the destination.

  The navigation device 1 includes a current position information acquisition unit 11, a travel history recording unit 12, a touch panel 13, an operation input unit 14, an input control unit 15, a microphone 16, a voice data acquisition unit 17, a voice analysis processing unit 18, a map database 19, The text database 20, the ambiguity determination unit 21, the route analysis unit 22, the audio data output control unit 23, the speaker 24, and the display control unit 25 are provided. The text database 20 also includes a relative word / phrase database 31.

  The current position information acquisition unit 11 acquires current position information of the vehicle using a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System / Global Positioning Satellite System) or the like, and supplies the current position information to the travel history recording unit 12 and the route analysis unit 22.

  The traveling history recording unit 12 refers to the map registered in the map database 19 and records the traveling history of the vehicle based on the current position information of the vehicle supplied from the current position information acquiring unit 11.

  The touch panel 13 is a combination of a display device such as a liquid crystal panel and a position input device such as a touch pad. The touch panel 13 displays various information based on the control of the display control unit 25 described later. Further, the touch panel 13 allows an operation input when the user touches the screen with a fingertip or the like, and supplies information corresponding to the user's operation input to the input control unit 15.

  The operation input unit 14 is configured by, for example, various input devices such as a button, a key, a remote controller, and a receiving unit that receives a signal from the remote controller. The operation input unit 14 receives an operation input from the user, and supplies information corresponding to the user's operation input to the input control unit 15.

  The input control unit 15 controls the user's operation input using the touch panel 13 and the operation input unit 14, and supplies information corresponding to the user's operation input to the ambiguity determination unit 21 described later.

  The microphone 16 is an audio input device that collects surrounding audio. The microphone 16 supplies the input audio data to the audio data acquisition unit 17.

  The audio data acquisition unit 17 acquires audio data collected by the microphone 16 and supplies the audio data to the audio analysis processing unit 18. The voice data acquisition unit 17 also corresponds to the input control unit.

  The voice analysis processing unit 18 receives the voice data acquired by the voice data acquisition unit 17 and performs voice analysis processing. The voice analysis processing unit 18 supplies the voice analysis result to the ambiguity determination unit 21 described later.

  The map database 19 is a database storing the recording of the travel history by the travel history recording unit 12 and the map data used for route analysis by the route analysis unit 22. The map information stored in the map database 19 is associated with names, attributes, addresses, telephone numbers and the like of each facility such as a store, a school, a hospital, and other public facilities. The user can search for a route by the name of the destination, an address, a telephone number, and the like. The user can also search for a route by searching for a destination with a definition or abbreviation that is wider than the store name, such as "Convenience Store (Convenience Store)" or "Bank". Further, it is preferable that the map information stored in the map database 19 can be updated by, for example, downloading the latest map information from a predetermined site as needed by a communication processing unit (not shown).

  The text database 20 stores text data for recognizing the user's utterance content, for use in the processing of the ambiguity determination unit 21 and the route analysis unit 22. The text database 20 also includes a relative phrase database 31 in which relative phrases are registered. The relative word / phrase database 31 is used by the ambiguity determination unit 21 to determine whether or not the user's speech includes an ambiguity, and the route analysis unit 22 to analyze the route for the user's command including the ambiguity. Be For example, as shown in FIG. 2, in the relative word / phrase database 31, relative words and information about search criteria, search directions, and search conditions when those words are inputted are registered.

  In the relative word / phrase database 31, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, as the relative word / phrase, a plurality of words such as "previously", "before", "now", "passed over", "overpassed" and "around" are Information regarding the position, the search direction, and the search condition, which is registered and which becomes a search criterion when performing a search, is registered for each word / phrase. For example, for the relative phrase “passed by,” “current position” is registered as a search criterion, “travel history” is registered as a search direction, and “past B meters” is registered as a search condition. There is. That is, for the relative phrase “passed by”, it is registered that within the range of the past B meters is searched in the search direction determined with reference to the travel history based on the current position of the vehicle There is. For the range of "past B meters" as a search condition, for example, a numerical value that is considered appropriate according to a phrase is applied, such as the past 100 meters for "previous" and the past 500 meters for "pass by".

  In the relative word / phrase database 31 shown in FIG. 2, for example, words representing relatively past time and route, not absolute, such as "previously", "before", "now", "passed over" and "overdue". Is preferably included. For example, words such as "○ ○ m ago" and "○ o minutes ago" are also different from the absolute point designation (eg, bank, intersection, etc.), and the relative distance from a certain point or a certain point It is a relative or ambiguity phrase that indicates the relative time from when you were traveling. Also, in the relative word / phrase database 31, for example, “this (at the present location)”, “(at the current location)”, “near xxx”, “ear of xx”, “early of xx”, etc. are absolute It is preferable that a word indicating relative positional relationship from a certain point is included instead of designation of the point. It goes without saying that information other than that shown in FIG. 2 may be registered in the relative word / phrase database 31.

  The ambiguity determination unit 21 determines whether or not the information corresponding to the user's command supplied from the input control unit 15 and the speech analysis processing unit 18 includes an ambiguity. The ambiguity determination unit 21 determines whether the user's command includes an ambiguity based on whether the relative term registered in the relative term database 31 is included. The ambiguity determination unit 21 supplies the determination result to the route analysis unit 22 together with the information corresponding to the user's command. The ambiguity determination unit 21 corresponds to a determination unit.

  The route analysis unit 22 receives the supply of the information indicating the current position of the vehicle acquired by the current position information acquisition unit 11, and based on the determination result of the ambiguity supplied from the ambiguity determination unit 21, to the user's command. The corresponding route is analyzed from the map registered in the map database 19. The route analysis unit 22 executes route analysis in the same manner as in the prior art when no ambiguity is included in the instruction from the user. Then, when the instruction from the user includes an ambiguity, the route analysis unit 22 is recorded in the travel history recording unit 12 as necessary based on the information registered in the relative word / phrase database 31. The route analysis is performed by referring to the travel history and estimating the destination from the user's command containing the relative phrase. The route analysis unit 22 supplies the analysis result of the route to the audio data output control unit 23 and the display control unit 25.

  A specific example of the route analysis in the case where the command from the user by the route analysis unit 22 includes an ambiguity will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  The audio data output control unit 23 converts the route analysis result supplied from the route analysis unit 22 into audio data, and controls the output of the audio data from the speaker 24. The audio data output control unit 23 corresponds to an output control unit.

  The speaker 24 outputs audio data corresponding to the route analysis result based on the control of the audio data output control unit 23.

  The display control unit 25 controls the touch panel 13 to control the route analysis result supplied from the route analysis unit 22 and the display output of the current position of the vehicle. The display control unit 25 corresponds to an output control unit.

  In addition, in FIG. 1, although each function structure was demonstrated as what one navigation apparatus 1 has, these may be comprised by several apparatus. For example, the touch panel 13, the speaker 24, the operation input unit 14, or the microphone 16 may be configured as an apparatus independent of the other components, and each may be capable of exchanging information.

  As described above, the navigation device 1 includes the current position information acquisition unit 11 for acquiring the current position of the vehicle, the input control unit 15 and the voice data acquisition unit 17 for controlling the input of the command from the user, and the input control unit 15. The ambiguity determination unit 21 that determines whether a relative phrase is included in the command of the user whose input is controlled by the processing, the determination result by the ambiguity determination unit 21, and the current position information acquisition unit 11 The route analysis unit 22 estimates a destination based on the current position of the vehicle and analyzes the route, and includes a voice data output control unit 23 and a display control unit 25 that control the output of the analysis result by the route analysis unit. It has composition. As a result, the navigation device 1 can estimate the route that the user intends from the words and phrases including the ambiguity, perform route search, and present the result to the user.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 9, a specific example of the route analysis in the case where the command from the user includes an ambiguity will be described.

  For example, when the vehicle equipped with the navigation device 1 is at the position shown by X in FIG. 3 and the traveling history of the vehicle is in the state shown by the dotted line, the user “returns to 100 m before the intersection which has just been made” The case where the user utters

  The user's speech “return to 100 m before the intersection where it was last” is collected by the microphone 16, acquired by the audio data acquisition unit 17, and supplied to the audio analysis processing unit 18. The voice analysis processing unit 18 performs voice analysis processing on the supplied voice data, and supplies the analysis result to the ambiguity determination unit 21.

  The ambiguity determination unit 21 responds to the user's command supplied from the speech analysis processing unit 18 based on whether or not the relative phrase registered in the relative phrase database 31 is included. It is determined whether or not “return to 100 m before the intersection” includes ambiguity. "Return to 100 m before the intersection you have made" includes the relative phrases "preceding", "100 m before" and "return".

  The ambiguity determination unit 21 supplies the determination result of the ambiguity to the route analysis unit 22 together with the information corresponding to the user's command. The route analysis unit 22 executes route analysis based on the information registered in the relative word / phrase database 31 when the command from the user contains an ambiguity. That is, the word “preceding” indicates a past time, and when the ambiguity determination unit 21 extracts a word indicating such a past time, the route analysis unit 22 causes the travel history recording unit 12 to Route analysis is performed with reference to the recorded travel history. Moreover, words and phrases such as "passed over" indicate a past route, and when the ambiguity judgment unit 21 extracts words and phrases indicating such a past time, the route analysis unit 22 similarly calculates the travel history. The route analysis is performed with reference to the travel history recorded in the recording unit 12.

  That is, the route analysis unit 22 refers to the travel history recorded in the travel history recording unit 12 and extracts the extraction point A which is a “preceding intersection”. Then, the route analysis unit 22 refers to the traveling history recorded in the traveling history recording unit 12 to detect the traveling direction when the vehicle is traveling at the extraction point A, and returns 100 m from the extraction point A, that is, The extraction point B moved 100 m from the extraction point A to the opposite side of the traveling direction is recognized as the user's destination, and the route to the extraction point B is analyzed.

  The route analysis unit 22 supplies the analysis result of the route to the audio data output control unit 23 and the display control unit 25. The audio data output control unit 23 converts the route analysis result supplied from the route analysis unit 22 into audio data, and controls the output of the audio data from the speaker 24. The display control unit 25 controls the touch panel 13 to control the display output of the route analysis result supplied from the route analysis unit 22.

  As described above, in the navigation device 1, the traveling direction recorded when the vehicle is traveling at a point can be detected by referring to the traveling history recorded in the traveling history recording unit 12. Even when the relative phrase including the ambiguity of "return" is included, search for the optimal route to the destination intended by the user, instead of giving an instruction to return the traveled route as it is It becomes possible.

  Next, for example, when the vehicle equipped with the navigation device 1 is at the position shown by X in FIG. 4 and the travel history of the vehicle is in the state shown by the dotted line, the user “turns the corner of the next convenience store right A description will be given of the case where the user speaks "super".

  The user's speech “a supermarket around turning the corner of the next convenience store right” is collected by the microphone 16, acquired by the audio data acquisition unit 17, and supplied to the audio analysis processing unit 18. The voice analysis processing unit 18 performs voice analysis processing on the supplied voice data, and supplies the analysis result to the ambiguity determination unit 21.

  The ambiguity determination unit 21 corresponds to the user's command supplied from the voice analysis processing unit 18 based on whether or not the relative phrase registered in the relative phrase database 31 is included. It is determined whether or not an ambiguity is included in the "super" around the right of the corner of the convenience store. "The supermarket near the corner of the next convenience store" has a relative phrase of "per".

  The ambiguity determination unit 21 supplies the determination result of the ambiguity to the route analysis unit 22 together with the information corresponding to the user's command. The route analysis unit 22 is recorded in the travel history recording unit 12 as needed based on the information registered in the relative word / phrase database 31 when the instruction from the user includes an ambiguity. Perform route analysis with reference to travel history.

  That is, the route analysis unit 22 extracts the extraction point A which is the "next convenience store" which does not include the ambiguity by the normal route analysis method. Then, the route analysis unit 22 extracts the extraction point B which is a “turn right” “corner” which does not include an ambiguity by a normal route analysis method. Then, with reference to the relative word / phrase database 31, the route analysis unit 22 registers in the map database 19 whether or not there is a "super" within a predetermined range in the turning direction based on the extraction point B. Refer to the map you are searching for. Then, the route analysis unit 22 recognizes the extraction point C obtained as the search result as the destination of the user, and analyzes the route to the extraction point C.

  The route analysis unit 22 supplies the analysis result of the route to the audio data output control unit 23 and the display control unit 25. The audio data output control unit 23 converts the route analysis result supplied from the route analysis unit 22 into audio data, and controls the output of the audio data from the speaker 24. The display control unit 25 controls the touch panel 13 to control the display output of the route analysis result supplied from the route analysis unit 22.

  Thus, the navigation device 1 can search for a route to a destination intended by the user, even when both absolute and relative phrases are included.

  Next, for example, when the vehicle equipped with the navigation device 1 is at the position indicated by X in FIG. 5 and the travel history of the vehicle is indicated by the dotted line, the user Description will be made of the case where the user says "Go back".

  The user's speech “return to the corner before the convenience store that has passed” is collected by the microphone 16, acquired by the audio data acquisition unit 17, and supplied to the audio analysis processing unit 18. The voice analysis processing unit 18 performs voice analysis processing on the supplied voice data, and supplies the analysis result to the ambiguity determination unit 21.

  The ambiguity determination unit 21 responds to the user's command supplied from the voice analysis processing unit 18 based on whether or not the relative phrase registered in the relative phrase database 31 is included. It is determined whether or not "return to the corner before the convenience store" includes ambiguity. "Return to the corner in front of the convenience store that has passed" includes relative phrases of "passed over", "in front of xx", and "return".

  The ambiguity determination unit 21 supplies the determination result of the ambiguity to the route analysis unit 22 together with the information corresponding to the user's command. The route analysis unit 22 is recorded in the travel history recording unit 12 as needed based on the information registered in the relative word / phrase database 31 when the instruction from the user includes an ambiguity. Perform route analysis with reference to travel history.

  That is, the route analysis unit 22 refers to the travel history recorded in the travel history recording unit 12 and extracts the extraction point A1 and the extraction point A2 which are "convenient convenience stores" within the predetermined range traveled in the past. Do. Then, the route analysis unit 22 refers to the travel history recorded in the travel history recording unit 12 and detects the traveling direction when the vehicle is traveling at the extraction point A1 and the extraction point A2, respectively, and the extraction point A1 And return to the corner before extraction point A2, that is, extraction point B1 and extraction point B2, which are the nearest corners on the opposite side of the traveling direction from extraction point A1 and extraction point A2, are recognized as the user's destination. Then, the route analysis unit 22 analyzes the routes to the extraction point B1 and the extraction point B2, respectively.

  The route analysis unit 22 supplies the analysis result of the two routes to the audio data output control unit 23 and the display control unit 25. The audio data output control unit 23 converts the route analysis result supplied from the route analysis unit 22 into audio data, and controls the output of the audio data from the speaker 24. The display control unit 25 controls the touch panel 13 to control the display output of the route analysis result (shown as route analysis result (1) and route analysis result (2) in FIG. 5) supplied from the route analysis unit 22. Do. At this time, the display control unit 25 may control the touch panel 13 to preferentially display the route analysis result (1) searched based on the extraction point A1, which is a convenience store that has passed most recently, The user may be notified that there is a candidate for In addition, the audio data output control unit 23 also causes the speaker 24 to perform audio output for notifying the user of the route analysis result (1), which is searched based on the extraction point A1 which is a convenience store that has passed most recently. Alternatively, the user may be notified that there are a plurality of candidates.

  Thus, in the navigation device 1, it is possible to obtain a plurality of route analysis results in the case where relative phrases including ambiguity are included.

  Next, for example, when the vehicle equipped with the navigation device 1 is at a position indicated by X in FIG. 6 and the travel history of the vehicle is indicated by a dotted line, the user “rights one intersection ahead” The case where the user utters

  The speech of the user “right at the intersection one before” is collected by the microphone 16, acquired by the audio data acquisition unit 17, and supplied to the audio analysis processing unit 18. The voice analysis processing unit 18 performs voice analysis processing on the supplied voice data, and supplies the analysis result to the ambiguity determination unit 21.

  The ambiguity determination unit 21 receives the “previous one” corresponding to the user's command supplied from the voice analysis processing unit 18 based on whether or not the relative phrase registered in the relative phrase database 31 is included. It is determined whether an ambiguity is included in the “right intersection of”. The phrase "right one intersection ahead" includes the relative phrase "before".

  The ambiguity determination unit 21 supplies the determination result of the ambiguity to the route analysis unit 22 together with the information corresponding to the user's command. The route analysis unit 22 is recorded in the travel history recording unit 12 as needed based on the information registered in the relative word / phrase database 31 when the instruction from the user includes an ambiguity. Perform route analysis with reference to travel history.

  That is, the route analysis unit 22 refers to the travel history recorded in the travel history recording unit 12 and extracts the extraction point A which is “one intersection ahead”. Then, the route analysis unit 22 refers to the traveling history recorded in the traveling history recording unit 12 and detects the traveling direction when the vehicle is traveling at the extraction point A, and turns to the right at the extraction point A The case extraction point B is recognized as the user's destination, and the route to the extraction point B is analyzed.

  When a route is searched including such ambiguous words and phrases, especially when only the direction of travel from a predetermined point is indicated, such as “right at the previous intersection,” the destination of the user is It is difficult to determine if it is the extraction point B or if it is ahead of the course when going straight to "right one intersection" without making a mistake. Therefore, the route analysis unit 22 can arrive early from the current position on the route when going straight ahead "right one intersection" with reference to the traveling history recorded in the traveling history recording unit 12 without mistake Search for the existence of a point. In this case, since the extraction point C which can arrive early from the current position is present in the course when going straight ahead after turning right to the one intersection ahead without mistake, the route analysis unit 22 extracts the extraction point C The route to the extraction point C is analyzed, recognizing it as one of the user's destination candidates.

  The route analysis unit 22 supplies the analysis result of the two routes to the audio data output control unit 23 and the display control unit 25. The audio data output control unit 23 converts the route analysis result supplied from the route analysis unit 22 into audio data, and controls the output of the audio data from the speaker 24. The display control unit 25 controls the touch panel 13 to control the display output of the route analysis result supplied from the route analysis unit 22.

  Thus, in the navigation device 1, when the route is searched by including the ambiguous word / phrase, the destination of the user is not only the extraction point B indicated by the command which includes the ambiguous word / phrase, without mistake. In any of the extraction points C ahead of the route when going straight ahead one intersection to the left, it is possible to search for the optimal route and present it to the user.

  Next, for example, when the vehicle equipped with the navigation device 1 is at the position shown by X in FIG. 7 and the travel history of the vehicle is in the state shown by the dotted line, the user The case of uttering "left" will be described.

  The user's speech “the corner of the bank around this is left” is collected by the microphone 16, acquired by the audio data acquisition unit 17, and supplied to the audio analysis processing unit 18. The voice analysis processing unit 18 performs voice analysis processing on the supplied voice data, and supplies the analysis result to the ambiguity determination unit 21.

  The ambiguity determination unit 21 is supplied from the voice analysis processing unit 18 based on whether or not the relative phrase registered in the relative phrase database 31 is included in the navigation instruction from the user. It is determined whether or not an ambiguity is included in "left corner of the bank" corresponding to the user's command. The "left bank corner" includes the relative phrase "around".

The ambiguity determination unit 21 supplies the determination result of the ambiguity to the route analysis unit 22 together with the information corresponding to the user's command. The route analysis unit 22 executes route analysis based on the information registered in the relative word / phrase database 31 when the command from the user contains an ambiguity. That is,
The phrase “in the vicinity” indicates a relative positional relationship, and the route analysis unit 22 refers to the map database when the ambiguity determination unit 21 extracts a phrase indicating such relative positional relationship. And perform route analysis.

  That is, based on the contents registered in the relative word / phrase database 31, the route analysis unit 22 searches for “a bank in this” within a predetermined range based on the current position. As a result, the route analysis unit 22 extracts an extraction point A1 and an extraction point A2 which are “banks around this”. Then, since the extraction point B1, which is the “corner” of the bank extracted as the extraction point A1, exists in the current traveling direction, the route analysis unit 22 uses the normal route analysis method to left the extraction point B1. The extraction point C1 is detected, and the route is analyzed with the extraction point C1 as one of the user's destination candidates. Also, since the extraction point B2 which is the “corner” of the bank extracted as the extraction point A2 is a portion included in the travel history recorded in the travel history recording unit 12, the route analysis unit 22 Detects the direction of travel when traveling through the extraction point B2, and the user moves the extraction point C2 to the left of the extraction point B2, that is, the left corner of the traveling direction from the extraction point B2 Recognizing the other as the candidate, the route to the extraction point C2 is analyzed.

  As in the case described with reference to FIG. 6, only the traveling direction from the predetermined point is shown for “left corner of the bank”, but the extraction point C1 and the extraction point C2 Even if either of the destinations is the user's destination, the route analysis unit 22 determines that the extraction point C1 and the extraction point C2 have no points on the route ahead ahead in the direction, because there is no point where they can arrive early from the current position. Route analysis is performed with two locations as user destination candidates.

  The route analysis unit 22 supplies the analysis result of the two routes to the audio data output control unit 23 and the display control unit 25. The audio data output control unit 23 converts the route analysis result supplied from the route analysis unit 22 into audio data, and controls the output of the audio data from the speaker 24. The display control unit 25 controls the touch panel 13 to control the display output of the route analysis result (shown as route analysis result (1) and route analysis result (2) in FIG. 7) supplied from the route analysis unit 22. Do.

  As described above, in the navigation device 1, even when a relative phrase including “a passing place and a place existing in the traveling direction” is included, the route to the destination intended by the user. It becomes possible to search for Further, in the navigation device 1, when the object extracted in the range indicated by “in this case” is present at the passing place, the traveling history recorded in the traveling history recording unit 12 is referred to, Since it is possible to detect the traveling direction when the vehicle is traveling at a certain point, it becomes possible to search for a route to a destination intended by the user.

  Next, for example, when the vehicle equipped with the navigation device 1 is at the position shown by X in FIG. 8 and the traveling history of the vehicle is in the state shown by the dotted line, the user The case of uttering "left" will be described.

  The user's speech "the tip of the nearby flower shop is left" is collected by the microphone 16, acquired by the audio data acquisition unit 17, and supplied to the audio analysis processing unit 18. The voice analysis processing unit 18 performs voice analysis processing on the supplied voice data, and supplies the analysis result to the ambiguity determination unit 21.

  The ambiguity determination unit 21 determines that “nearby” corresponding to the user's command supplied from the voice analysis processing unit 18 based on whether the relative phrase registered in the relative phrase database 31 is included. It is determined whether an ambiguity is included in "the left corner of the flower shop". The phrase “close to the tip of the nearby florist” includes relative phrases “near” and “next to xx”.

  The ambiguity determination unit 21 supplies the determination result of the ambiguity to the route analysis unit 22 together with the information corresponding to the user's command. The route analysis unit 22 is recorded in the travel history recording unit 12 as needed based on the information registered in the relative word / phrase database 31 when the instruction from the user includes an ambiguity. Perform route analysis with reference to travel history.

  That is, based on the contents registered in the relative word / phrase database 31, the route analysis unit 22 sets "a nearby flower shop" within a radius D meter shown in FIG. The search direction is searched around the current position with the search condition as the search condition. Alternatively, the route analysis unit 22 may set the search condition as “the one or more candidate locations closest to the current location” and present the user with a plurality of nearest candidate locations, for example, three candidates as the search criteria. It is also good. As a result, the route analysis unit 22 extracts an extraction point A1 and an extraction point A2 that are "near florists". The florist extracted as the extraction point A1 is a portion included in the travel history recorded in the travel history recording unit 12. Therefore, the route analysis unit 22 detects the traveling direction when the vehicle is traveling at the extraction point A1, and the extraction point that is the next corner of the extraction point A1, that is, the nearest corner from the extraction point A1 to the traveling direction The extraction point C1 with B1 turned to the left is recognized as one of the user's destination candidates, and the route to the extraction point C1 is analyzed. The florist extracted as the extraction point A2 is not included in the travel history recorded in the travel history recording unit 12, but exists around the current position. That is, when the florist extracted as the extraction point A2 is set as a target, the user may have mistaken the route. Therefore, when the vehicle travels the extraction point A2 the fastest from any position in the travel history (when A2 indicated by the solid line arrow in FIG. 8 is the extraction point), the route analysis unit 22 Of the provisional route), and the extraction point C2 is obtained by bending the extraction point B2, which is the closest corner of the provisional route provisional traveling direction from the extraction point A2, to the left. Recognize it as the other destination candidate of.

  In addition, "the tip of the nearby florist on the left" also shows only the traveling direction from the predetermined point, as in the case described with reference to Figs. 6 and 7. If the extraction point C1 is the destination of the user, there is no extraction point that can arrive early from the current position on the path ahead in the direction going in that direction. However, if the extraction point C2 is the destination of the user, there is an extraction point D2 that can arrive early from the current position on the route ahead in the direction that the user travels. Therefore, in addition to the extraction point C1 and the extraction point C2, the route analysis unit 22 executes the route analysis in which three places of the extraction point D2 are candidates for the destination of the user.

  The route analysis unit 22 supplies the analysis result of the three routes to the audio data output control unit 23 and the display control unit 25. The audio data output control unit 23 converts the route analysis result supplied from the route analysis unit 22 into audio data, and controls the output of the audio data from the speaker 24. The display control unit 25 controls the touch panel 13 to control the display output of the route analysis result (shown as route analysis result (1) and route analysis result (2) in FIG. 8) supplied from the route analysis unit 22. Do.

  As described above, in the navigation device 1, when the extraction point which is not the destination of the current traveling direction and is not included in the travel history is searched within the range corresponding to the relative phrase “this part”. Since the user can detect the temporary traveling direction when the vehicle is traveling toward the target without mistake by referring to the traveling history recorded in the traveling history recording unit 12, the user can Even when traveling by mistake, it is possible to search for a route to a destination intended by the user.

  Next, for example, when the vehicle equipped with the navigation device 1 is at the position indicated by X in FIG. 9 and the travel history of the vehicle is indicated by a dotted line, the user says “left at the previous intersection”. The case of speaking will be described.

  The speech of the user “left at the previous intersection” is collected by the microphone 16, acquired by the audio data acquisition unit 17, and supplied to the audio analysis processing unit 18. The voice analysis processing unit 18 performs voice analysis processing on the supplied voice data, and supplies the analysis result to the ambiguity determination unit 21.

  The ambiguity determination unit 21 responds to the user's command supplied from the speech analysis processing unit 18 based on whether or not the relative phrase registered in the relative phrase database 31 is included. It is determined whether an ambiguity is included on the left of the intersection. The "left at the intersection" contains the relative phrase "before".

  The ambiguity determination unit 21 supplies the determination result of the ambiguity to the route analysis unit 22 together with the information corresponding to the user's command. The route analysis unit 22 is recorded in the travel history recording unit 12 as needed based on the information registered in the relative word / phrase database 31 when the instruction from the user includes an ambiguity. Perform route analysis with reference to travel history.

  The route analysis unit 22 refers to the travel history recorded in the travel history recording unit 12 and extracts the extraction points A1 and A2 that are “the previous intersection” within a predetermined range from the current position. Unlike in the case of the “pre-crossed intersection” described with reference to FIG. 3, there are a plurality of “pre-intersections” within a predetermined range.

  Then, the route analysis unit 22 refers to the travel history recorded in the travel history recording unit 12 and detects the traveling direction when the vehicle enters the intersection indicated by the extraction point A1 and the extraction point A2, and the extraction point In each of A1 and extraction point A2, the extraction point B1 and extraction point B2 in the case of turning left from the traveling direction are respectively recognized as the destination of the user, and the route is analyzed.

  In the same manner as described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8, “left just before intersection” shows only the traveling direction from the predetermined point, but the extraction point B1 and the extraction point B2 Even if either of the destinations is the user's destination, the route analysis unit 22 extracts the extraction point B1 and the extraction point B2 because there is no extraction point that can arrive early from the current position on the route ahead in the direction. The route analysis is performed with two points as the destination candidate of the user.

  The route analysis unit 22 supplies the analysis result of the route to the audio data output control unit 23 and the display control unit 25. The audio data output control unit 23 converts the route analysis result supplied from the route analysis unit 22 into audio data, and controls the output of the audio data from the speaker 24. The display control unit 25 controls the touch panel 13 to control the display output of the route analysis result (shown as route analysis result (1) and route analysis result (2) in FIG. 9) supplied from the route analysis unit 22. Do.

  As described above, in the navigation device 1, a plurality of “first corner” can be extracted within a predetermined range, and the traveling history recorded in the traveling history recording unit 12 is referred to, and the vehicle travels at a point Since it is possible to detect the direction of travel of each hour, search for a route to the destination intended by the user, even when the relative phrase including the ambiguity "Saki" is included. Is possible.

  Next, navigation processing performed by the navigation device 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

In step S <b> 1, the current position information acquisition unit 11 acquires current position information of the vehicle and supplies it to the travel history recording unit 12 and the route analysis unit 22. The traveling history recording unit 12 refers to the map registered in the map database 19 and records the traveling history of the vehicle based on the current position information of the vehicle supplied from the current position information acquiring unit 11.

  In step S2, based on the information supplied from the input control unit 15 or the voice analysis processing unit 18, the ambiguity determination unit 21 determines whether or not a navigation instruction has been received from the user. If it is determined in step S2 that the navigation instruction has not been received, the process returns to step S1.

  If it is determined in step S2 that the navigation instruction has been received, the ambiguity determination unit 21 refers to the relative word / phrase database 31 in step S3 and the navigation instruction from the user includes the ambiguity. Determine if it is or not. The ambiguity determination unit 21 supplies the determination result of the ambiguity to the route analysis unit 22 together with the information corresponding to the user's command.

  When it is determined in step S2 that no ambiguity is included, in step S4, the route analysis unit 22 executes a normal route analysis process, and the process proceeds to step S6.

  If it is determined in step S2 that an ambiguity is included, a relative phrase corresponding route analysis process described later with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 is performed in step S5, and the process proceeds to step S6.

  In step S6, the route analysis unit 22 supplies the analysis result of the route to the audio data output control unit 23 and the display control unit 25. The audio data output control unit 23 converts the route analysis result supplied from the route analysis unit 22 into audio data, and controls the output of the audio data from the speaker 24. The display control unit 25 controls the touch panel 13 to control the display output of the route analysis result supplied from the route analysis unit 22, and the process is ended.

  Next, the relative phrase corresponding route analysis process executed in step S5 of FIG. 10 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 11 and 12.

  In step S21, the route analysis unit 22 extracts, from the information corresponding to the user's command supplied from the ambiguity determination unit 21, the word / phrase group capable of determining the extraction point. For example, if the information corresponding to the user's command is "super around the corner of the next convenience store" described with reference to FIG. 4, the route analysis unit 22 first selects "next convenience store". Extract. For example, if the information corresponding to the user's command is "return to the corner before the passing convenience store" described using FIG. 5, the route analysis unit 22 first extracts "the passing convenience store". .

  In step S22, the route analysis unit 22 refers to the relative word / phrase database 31 and determines whether the word / phrase group extracted in step S21 includes a relative word / phrase. For example, in the case where the information corresponding to the user's command is "super around the corner of the next convenience store" described with reference to FIG. 4, relative to the "next convenience store" extracted first It is a word that does not contain the target word and can search for the extraction point by the conventional method. For example, if the information corresponding to the user's command is “return to the corner before the passing convenience store” described with reference to FIG. The relative words registered in the database 31 are included.

  If it is determined in step S22 that a relative phrase is not included, the route analysis unit 22 detects an extraction point corresponding to the extracted phrase from the map with reference to the map database 19 in step S23. The process proceeds to step S30 described later.

  If it is determined in step S22 that the relative phrase is not included, in step S24, the route analysis unit 22 refers to the relative phrase database 31 and detects the corresponding phrase.

  In step S25, the route analysis unit 22 extracts, from the relative word / phrase database 31, the search criteria, the search direction, and the search range corresponding to the extracted word / phrase.

  In step S26, the route analysis unit 22 determines whether the travel history is used to search for the extraction point.

  In step S26, when it is determined that the travel history is not used, in step S27, the route analysis unit 22 detects the extraction point from the map based on the search criteria, the search direction, and the search range corresponding to the extracted word. Then, the process proceeds to step S30 described later.

  If it is determined in step S26 that the travel history is to be used, the route analysis unit 22 reads the travel history recorded in the travel history recording unit 12 in step S28.

  In step S29, the route analysis unit 22 detects an extraction point from the map based on the search criteria, the search direction, the search range, and the travel history corresponding to the extracted word / phrase.

  After the process of step S23, step S27, or step S29 is completed, in step S30, the route analysis unit 22 selects a plurality of candidates for the extraction points obtained in the process of step S23, step S27, or step S29. Determine if there is. If it is determined in step S30 that there is not a plurality of candidates, the process proceeds to step S32 described later.

  If it is determined in step S30 that there are a plurality of candidates, in step S31, the route analysis unit 22 determines whether or not the detection of the extraction point has ended for all the plurality of candidates. If it is determined in step S31 that the extraction point detection has not been completed for all of the plurality of candidates, the process returns to step S22, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  If it is determined in step S30 that there is not a plurality of candidates, or if it is determined in step S31 that the extraction point detection has ended for all of the plurality of candidates, the route analysis unit 22 determines in step S32 It is determined whether the processing has been completed for all of the terms included in the information corresponding to the user's command. If it is determined in step S32 that the process has not been completed for all of the words, the process returns to step S21, the next word group is extracted, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  If it is determined in step S32 that the process has been completed for all of the words and / or phrases, in step S33, the route analysis unit 22 executes route analysis processing up to the last extraction point.

  In step S34, when the route analysis unit 22 proceeds in the direction of travel from the last extraction point, as in the case described with reference to FIG. Whether or not there is a suitable route. If it is determined in step S34 that a suitable route does not exist even in the case of proceeding in the traveling direction from the last extraction point, the process proceeds to step S6 in FIG.

  If it is determined in step S34 that there is a route suitable for the case of proceeding in the traveling direction from the last extraction point, in step S35, the route analysis unit 22 proceeds in the traveling direction from the last extraction point The analysis process is performed, and the process proceeds to step S6 in FIG.

  By such processing, in the navigation device 1, since the route search can be performed corresponding to the relative word / phrase, the user makes a mistake in the route, the memory of the route is ambiguous, and the passing again Even if the user wants to go back, it is possible to estimate the route for which the user is aiming and perform route search.

  The above-described technology includes, as hardware, a function of acquiring a current position, such as a personal computer, a cellular phone, or a smartphone, a display unit, an operation input unit, and an audio / image output unit. The present invention can also be applied to other devices.

  The series of processes described above can be performed by hardware or software. When a series of processes are executed by software, various functions may be executed by installing a computer in which programs constituting the software are incorporated in dedicated hardware or various programs. The program is installed from a program storage medium, for example, on a general-purpose personal computer or a smart phone.

  Note that the program executed by the computer may be a program that performs processing in chronological order according to the order described in this specification, in parallel, or when necessary, such as when a call is made. It may be a program to be processed.

  Further, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  For example, the navigation device 1 may have a function of editing the relative word / phrase database 31 shown in FIG. In the relative word / phrase database 31 of FIG. 2, the search condition is set to A meter for the relative word / phrase “Saki”, but the feeling may differ depending on the user. In the relative word / phrase database 31, by making search conditions set for each word / phrase editable, the relative word / phrase database 31 can be optimized for each user. Further, by enabling registration of new words in the relative word / phrase database 31, it becomes possible to realize designation of destinations by relative words / words corresponding to dialects or foreign languages.

  In addition, the navigation device 1 may have a function of optimizing the relative word / phrase database 31 for each user by learning. For example, when the intersection searched for the word “the intersection of the previous time” and guided to the user is different from the user's intention, the user performs an operation such as canceling the search result or performing the search again. The navigation apparatus 1 recognizes that the search condition corresponding to the phrase “Saki” is different from the user's intention when the user receives an operation input such as cancellation of the search result or re-execution of the search. In such a case, in the navigation device 1, the relative phrase database 31 can be optimized for each user by changing the search condition registered in the relative phrase database 31.

  In the relative word / phrase database 31, by linking the registered word / phrase with the facility genre, it is about 30 m from the current location in the case of the “first intersection” and about 100 m from the current location in the “first convenience store”. The search condition for each word may be changed depending on the facility to be used. Further, in this case, the relative word / phrase database 31 may be provided for each of the facility genres, instead of linking the registered words and the facility genres.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Navigation apparatus, 11 ... Present-position information acquisition part, 12 ... Traveling-history recording part, 13 ... Touch panel, 14 ... Operation input part, 15 ... Input control part, 16 ... Microphone, 17 ... Voice data acquisition part (Input control part 18: voice analysis processing unit 19: map database 20: text database 21: ambiguity determination unit (determination unit) 22: route analysis unit 23: voice data output control unit (output control unit) 24 ... Speaker, 25 ... Display control unit (output control unit), 31 ... Relative phrase database

Claims (8)

A current position information acquisition unit for acquiring the current position of the vehicle;
An input control unit that controls input of a command from a user;
A determination unit that determines whether a relative word or phrase is included in the command of the user whose input is controlled by the process of the input control unit;
A route analysis unit that estimates a destination based on the determination result by the determination unit and the current position of the vehicle acquired by the current position information acquisition unit;
An output control unit that controls an output of an analysis result by the route analysis unit. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein
The vehicle further comprises a traveling history recording unit that records the traveling history of the vehicle,
The route analysis unit estimates the destination with reference to the travel history recorded in the travel history recording unit when the relative word is included in the command of the user. Navigation device. The navigation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
The route analysis unit divides the user's command into word groups, derives extraction points corresponding to each word group, and analyzes a plurality of routes when the extraction points are plural. Navigation device. The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
When the relative phrase is included in the user's command, the route analysis unit uses at least one of a search criterion, a search direction, or a search condition set for the relative phrase. A navigation device characterized by analyzing a route. The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
The route analysis unit extracts, from the user's command, a term indicating a past time or a route relatively, estimates a destination based on the extracted term, and analyzes the route. apparatus. The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein
The route analysis unit extracts a term indicating a relative positional relationship from a certain point from a command of the user, estimates a destination based on the extracted term, and analyzes a route. Navigation device. A navigation method performed by a car navigation device, comprising:
A current position information acquisition step of acquiring a current position of the vehicle;
An input control step for controlling input of a command from a user;
A determination step of determining whether a relative phrase is included in the user's command whose input is controlled by the process of the input control step;
A route analysis step of estimating a destination and analyzing a route based on the determination result by the processing of the determination step and the current position of the vehicle acquired by the processing of the current position information acquisition step;
An output control step of controlling an output of an analysis result by the processing of the route analysis step. In the computer mounted on the vehicle,
A current position information acquisition step of acquiring a current position of the vehicle;
An input control step for controlling input of a command from a user;
A determination step of determining whether a relative phrase is included in the user's command whose input is controlled by the process of the input control step;
A route analysis step of estimating a destination and analyzing a route based on the determination result by the processing of the determination step and the current position of the vehicle acquired by the processing of the current position information acquisition step;
And an output control step for controlling an output of an analysis result by the processing of the route analysis step.

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