JP4221658B2 - Navigation device and guide method in navigation device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a navigation device and a guide method in the navigation device, and can be applied to, for example, a car navigation device. In the present invention, after instructing detection of a break in the audio signal at the voice guide request point set before the guide point, the remaining distance to the guide point is sequentially updated, and the remaining distance is detected by detecting the break in the audio signal. By providing the guide based on the voice, the voice guide can be surely provided without disturbing the trial listening of music or the like as compared with the prior art.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in a car navigation apparatus, for example, an audio guide such as “Please turn left at the next intersection” is provided before the intersection. For this reason, conventionally, in a car navigation apparatus, the volume of the audio output is lowered during the period in which such a voice guide is output, thereby reliably notifying the user of such a voice guide.
[0003]
That is, FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a conventional car navigation apparatus. In this car navigation device 1, the navigation unit 2 is a unit in which circuit blocks such as a map display function, a route search function, a current position detection function, a route guidance function and the like related to the car navigation device are integrated. For example, the current position is detected by a GPS (Global Positioning System) positioning method, and a route suitable for movement is detected from the current position to the destination input by the user. Further, the user is guided to the destination by the detected route by voice guidance via the speaker 3 or display by a display means (not shown).
[0004]
The navigation unit 2 is configured to be able to output a sound reduction control signal ATT instructing other devices to turn down the volume. As shown in FIGS. During the period of outputting the voice guide, the signal level of the sound reduction control signal ATT is raised and the volume of other devices is lowered. It should be noted that in such a volume reduction, there are a case where the volume is lowered to a constant volume and a case where the volume is completely lowered and the sound is muted.
[0005]
On the other hand, the audio unit 4 is a unit in which circuit blocks such as a compact disc reproduction function and an FM broadcast reception function related to music content processing are integrated, and outputs an audio signal via a speaker 5. The audio unit 4 is configured to lower the volume output from the speaker 5 by the sound reduction control signal ATT, and thereby the volume is decreased in conjunction with the operation of the navigation unit 2.
[0006]
That is, FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure related to the voice guide of the controller 2 </ b> A provided in the navigation unit 2. When this processing procedure is started, the controller 2A moves from step SP1 to step SP2, and detects the distance L to the next guide point based on the detection result of the current position. Subsequently, the controller 2A moves to step SP3, determines whether or not the point where the voice guide is output has been reached by determining the distance L to the guide point, and returns to step SP2 when a negative result is obtained. On the other hand, when the point where the voice guide is output is reached, the process proceeds from step SP3 to step SP4, where the sound reduction control signal ATT is asserted to lower the volume of the audio unit 4. In step SP5, after outputting a voice guide, in step SP6, the sound reduction control signal ATT is negated to restore the volume of the audio unit 4, and the process proceeds to step SP7 to end the processing procedure.
[0007]
Thus, for example, when the intersection is a guide point, and when it is set to output an audio guide 200 [m] before this guide point, as shown in FIGS. In the car navigation device 1, when it reaches 200 [m] before the guide point, the volume of the audio unit 4 is lowered by the navigation unit 2, for example, after outputting a voice guide saying “Turn left at the intersection about 200 m ahead”. The sound volume in the audio unit 4 is returned to the original state.
[0008]
In this case, however, the navigation unit 2 outputs a voice guide with reference to the guide point regardless of the processing in the audio unit 4, so that in the voice guide, FIG. As shown, it may be output in the middle of a song being played by the audio unit 4. In this case, the sound guide suddenly falls and the sound guide is output, so that the sound guide itself becomes difficult to hear. Also, listening to music will be greatly hindered.
[0009]
For this reason, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-116581 proposes a method in which priority is set for a voice guide, and for a voice guide with a low priority, a waiting time is output between songs.
[0010]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-116581 A
[0011]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, as in the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-116581, if the priority is set for the voice guide and the voice guide has a low priority, if the voice guide is output after waiting for the interval between the music, 4 can be made so as not to interfere with listening to music.
[0012]
However, with this method, it is necessary to set a high priority and output without waiting for a song between voice guides that are output at a specific location, for example, when instructing a change of course at an intersection. There is a problem that, as a result, trial listening of music or the like is hindered, and further, the voice guide itself is difficult to confirm. Even if it is not a voice guide that is output at such a specific location, a high-priority voice guide can be output between songs after a little while. Will be disturbed.
[0013]
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and proposes a navigation device and a guide method in the navigation device that can provide a voice guide reliably without disturbing the listening of music or the like more than in the past. It is something to try.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to solve such a problem, the invention of claim 1 is applied to a navigation device, and a request point for voice guidance is set at a point before the guide point.In addition, the limit point is set at a point closer to the guide point compared to the required point of the voice guide,After instructing the audio unit that outputs the audio signal from the speaker at the request point of the audio guide to detect the break of the audio signal, the remaining distance to the guide point is sequentially updated by the current position detected by the current position detecting means. ,Until the limit point,Audio guidance provides guidance based on remaining distance by detecting breaks in the audio sectionIf the guide of the corresponding guide point has not been provided yet, the volume of the audio signal output from the audio unit is forcibly lowered at the limit point, and the guide of the corresponding guide point is provided. On the basis of the history record, the voice guidance request point and the limit point are set closer to the guide point in the case of the route that has passed in the past than in the case of the first route..
[0015]
  And claims4In the present invention, the voice guidance request point is set at a point before the guide point by applying to the guide method in the navigation device.In addition, the limit point is set at a point closer to the guide point compared to the required point of the voice guide,After instructing the audio unit that outputs the audio signal from the speaker at the request point of the audio guide to detect the break of the audio signal, the remaining distance to the guide point is sequentially updated by the current position detected by the current position detecting means. ,Until the limit point,Audio guidance provides guidance based on remaining distance by detecting breaks in the audio sectionIf the guide point of the corresponding guide point has not been provided yet, the volume of the audio signal output from the audio part is forcibly lowered at the limit point, the guide of the corresponding guide point is provided, and the history is recorded. In the case of a route that has passed in the past, the voice guidance request point and limit point are set closer to the guide point than in the first route..
[0016]
  Claim 1Or claim 4In the configuration ofShakeFor example, it is possible to provide a voice guide between songs with a sufficient time margin by setting the voice guide request point. Even when a sufficient time margin is provided in this way, the content of the guide can be made appropriate by updating the remaining distance. As a result, it is possible to reliably provide a voice guide without hindering listening to music or the like as compared with the prior art.Further, by forcibly lowering the volume of the audio signal at the limit point and providing the voice guide, the voice guide can be reliably provided even when the voice guide is provided at the break of the audio signal.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate.
[0019]
(1) First embodiment
(1-1) Configuration of the first embodiment
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the car navigation apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The car navigation device 10 includes a navigation unit 12 that integrates circuit blocks related to navigation processing and an audio unit 13 that integrates circuit blocks related to music content processing.
[0020]
In the audio unit 13, the source unit 16 is an output source of an audio signal, and includes an optical disk device, a hard disk device, a tuner, and the like, and reproduces and outputs an audio signal according to an instruction from the controller 15. An AM broadcast wave is received and an audio signal is output. In these processes, when the audio signal is reproduced and output by the optical disk device or the hard disk device, the source unit 16 detects the break of the audio signal between music pieces based on the management information of these audio signals, and notifies the controller 15 of the detection. The management information is information recorded in the TOC (Table Of Contents) of the compact disk, for example, when the compact disk is played back by the optical disk device. In this case, the performance time recorded in the TOC. And the elapsed time after the start of reproduction, the interval between songs is detected. On the other hand, when the audio signal recorded in the hard disk device is reproduced, the management information is file management information of the hard disk device. In this case, the file length recorded in the file management information, the current reproduction location, and Between the songs is detected. On the other hand, when a broadcast wave is received and output, a break in the audio signal is detected by a decrease in the signal level of the audio signal.
[0021]
The audio signal processing unit 17 sets the sound quality and volume of the audio signal output from the source unit 16 under the control of the controller 15, and drives the speaker 18 with the audio signal. Accordingly, the audio unit 13 can enjoy various music contents.
[0022]
The interface (I / F) 19 is an interface for various data transmitted to and received from the navigation unit 12, outputs control data input from the navigation unit 12 to the controller 15, and outputs various data output from the controller 15. Data is output to the navigation unit 12. As a result, the audio unit 13 can notify the audio unit 13 of various user operations detected by the navigation unit 12 and can switch the operation of the audio unit 13.
[0023]
The controller 15 is a computer that controls the operation of the audio unit 13, and controls the operation of each unit in response to a user operation notified from the navigation unit 12 via the interface 19 by executing a predetermined program. As a result, the audio unit 13 can select and listen to music content by the source unit 16.
[0024]
In this series of controls, as shown in FIG. 3, the controller 15, when the voice guidance request signal Req (FIG. 3B) input from the navigation unit 12 via the interface 19 is asserted, The voice guidance request acceptance signal ACK is asserted when the audio signal break at 16 is detected (FIG. 3D). The voice guidance request acceptance signal ACK is negated by negating the voice guidance request signal Req. As a result, the car navigation device 10 instructs the navigation unit 12 to detect the break of the audio signal by the voice guidance request signal Req, and notifies the navigation unit 12 of the detection of the break of the audio signal by the voice guidance request acceptance signal ACK. Has been made.
[0025]
Further, as shown in FIG. 4, when the sound reduction control signal ATT (FIG. 4C) input from the navigation unit 12 via the interface 19 is asserted, the controller 15 is controlled by the audio signal processing unit 17. The volume of the audio signal is lowered and restored to the original volume by negating the sound reduction control signal ATT (FIG. 4E). As a result, the car navigation device 10 can forcibly lower the volume of the audio signal when outputting a voice guide under the control of the navigation unit 12.
[0026]
In contrast to the configuration of the audio unit 13, in the navigation unit 12, the position detection unit 24 detects and outputs the current position by a GPS positioning method or the like. In this processing, the position detection unit 24 acquires information indicating the behavior of the vehicle from the vehicle on which the car navigation device 10 is mounted, and corrects and outputs the current position detected by the GPS positioning method or the like based on this information. To do.
[0027]
The input unit 25 is configured by a remote commander or the like, and accepts various operations by the user, inputs of destinations, and the like.
[0028]
The display unit 26 is composed of a liquid crystal panel or the like, and displays a map of a point designated by the user, a map related to road guidance, and the like. The image processing unit 27 generates and outputs a video signal for driving the display unit 26 under the control of the controller 28 based on the map data recorded in a recording unit (not shown). The voice processing unit 29 synthesizes voice for use in voice guidance under the control of the controller 28 and outputs it from the speaker 30. As a result, the navigation unit 12 accepts the setting of the destination by the user, displays a map of the vicinity of the destination and the route to the destination on the display unit 26, and guide points set for this route from the speaker 30. An audio guide is output.
[0029]
The interface (I / F) 31 is an interface for various data transmitted to and received from the audio unit 13, outputs control data input from the audio unit 13 to the controller 28, and outputs various data output from the controller 28. Data is output to the audio unit 13. Thus, the navigation unit 12 can switch the operation of the audio unit 13 in response to a user operation detected via the input unit 25.
[0030]
The controller 28 is a computer that controls the operation of the navigation unit 12. Of the user operations detected via the input unit 25, the operation related to the audio unit 13 is notified to the audio unit 13 via the interface 31. . On the other hand, for operations related to the navigation unit 12, processing such as route search and route guidance is executed by executing a predetermined program in response to the operation of the input unit 25.
[0031]
In this route guidance processing, the controller 28 sets a guide point for providing a voice guide and guiding the user on the route to the destination. This guide point setting is performed in the same manner as in a conventional car navigation apparatus.
[0032]
When the current position detected by the position detecting unit 24 is monitored and one of the guide points set in this way is approached, the voice guide request point and the voice guide limit point are located at a point before the corresponding guide point. Set. Here, the request point of the voice guide is a reference point for starting the process of outputting the voice guide after waiting for the break of the audio signal in the audio unit 13. On the other hand, the limit point of the voice guide is set at a point closer to the guide point than the request point of the voice guide, and the volume of the audio signal is forced when the guide point guide is not provided yet. It is a reference point that provides a guide for the corresponding guide point.
[0033]
These voice guidance request points and limit points are specific according to the situation so that the time until arrival at the guide point provides a voice guide and the user can take appropriate action with sufficient margin. Is set according to the current position, current traveling speed, guide content, history record, road conditions, and user settings.
[0034]
That is, for example, when the current position is an expressway, the request point and the limit point are set at a point closer to the guide point than when the current position is a general road. Further, the request point and the limit point are set at a point on the near side of the guide point when the traveling speed is high compared to when the traveling speed is low. For example, when turning left from a left turn lane at an intersection having a plurality of traveling lanes, the request point and the limit point are accompanied by designation of the lane in the content of the guide. It is set at a point on the near side of the guide point as compared with the case of instructing a left turn or a right turn without designation.
[0035]
In addition, if the route used for route guidance is a route that has passed many times in the past based on history records, the request point and limit point are set closer to the guide point than in the case of the first route. . Further, in a road where the road condition is congested, the request point and the limit point are set closer to the guide point than a road that is not congested.
[0036]
In addition to the linked settings, the request points and limit points are relative to each other, depending on the situation, specifically the guide contents, history recording, road conditions, user settings, etc. The positional relationship is set.
[0037]
That is, in this embodiment, when changing the course by turning right or left at an intersection, for example, a prior guidance saying "It is a left turn at the next 3 km" intersection and, for example, "After 100 [m] It is designed to provide voice guidance to the guidance immediately before `` Turn left at the intersection ''. In this case, the distance from the request point to the limit point in the previous guidance is from the request point to the limit point in the previous guidance. Thus, in advance guidance, the travel time from the request point to the limit point is set longer than in the previous guidance.
[0038]
Also, if the route used for route guidance is a route that has been passed many times in the past based on the history record, the limit point is set closer to the guide point than in the case of the first route, so that the request The travel time from the point to the limit point is set to be long. Also, in road conditions where there is less room for the user, such as in crowded roads, the limit point is set at a position close to the request point, so that the travel time from the request point to the limit point is shortened. Is done.
[0039]
In addition, when the user sets the operation mode to give priority to the trial listening of the music content, the limit point is set at a position close to the guide point, so that the traveling time from the request point to the limit point is set longer.
[0040]
When the request points and limit points are set in this way, the controller 28 provides a voice guide based on these request points and limit points by executing the processing procedure shown in FIG. In this processing procedure, the processing of the controller 15 when reproducing the music content recorded on the recording medium in the audio unit 13 is also shown. Thus, when the user instructs to listen to the music content, the controller 15 of the audio unit 13 proceeds from step SP11 to step SP12, and determines whether or not an interval between the music signals being reproduced is detected. If a negative result is obtained here, step SP12 is repeated. Thereby, the controller 15 waits until the interval between songs is detected. When the interval between songs is detected, the controller 15 moves from step SP12 to step SP13, and determines whether or not the voice guidance request signal Req is asserted by the navigation unit 12. If it is not asserted here, the process moves to step SP14 to start playback of the next music and returns to step SP12.
[0041]
On the other hand, when the voice guidance request signal Req is asserted, the process proceeds from step SP13 to step SP15, the next music piece reproduction is paused, and in the subsequent step SP16, the voice guidance request acceptance signal ACK is asserted. In step SP17, the voice guidance request signal Req is negated. When the voice guidance request signal Req is negated, the voice guidance request acceptance signal ACK is negated in step SP18, and the process proceeds to step SP14.
[0042]
For such processing on the audio unit 13 side, when the controller 28 of the navigation unit 12 sets a request point and a limit point, the process proceeds from step SP21 to step SP22. Here, the controller 28 detects the distance L from the current position detected by the position detection unit 24 to the guide point. In the following step SP23, it is determined whether or not the distance L has been reached by determining the distance L using the determination reference value (request Tim) for the request point. If a negative result is obtained, the process returns to step SP22. . As a result, the controller 28 repeats the processing procedure of steps SP22-SP23-SP22 until the vehicle reaches the request point. When the vehicle reaches the request point, an affirmative result is obtained at step SP23, and the process proceeds to step SP24. The voice guidance request signal Req to be output to the audio unit 13 is asserted by controlling the operation. As a result, the controller 28 instructs the audio unit 13 to detect breaks in the audio signal.
[0043]
Subsequently, the controller 28 proceeds to step SP25, and again detects a distance L from the current position detected by the position detection unit 24 to the guide point. Further, in the subsequent step SP26, it is determined whether or not the limit point has been reached by determining the distance L with the determination reference value (limit Tim) related to the limit point. If a negative result is obtained here, the controller 28 proceeds to step SP27 to determine whether or not the voice guidance request acceptance signal ACK input from the audio unit 13 is asserted. If a negative result is obtained, the controller 28 proceeds to step SP25. Return.
[0044]
Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, the controller 28 instructs the audio unit 13 to detect the break of the audio signal at the voice guidance request point by asserting the voice guidance request signal Req (FIG. 3B), and then the voice. The processing procedure of steps SP25-SP26-SP27-SP25 is repeated until the detection of the break of the audio signal is notified from the audio unit 13 due to the assertion of the guidance request acceptance signal ACK, and the position detection unit 24 as the current position detection means. The remaining distance L to the guide point is sequentially updated according to the current position detected by.
[0045]
On the other hand, if the audio unit 13 is notified of the detection of a break in the audio signal by asserting the voice guidance request acceptance signal ACK (FIGS. 3D and 3E), the controller 28 gives a positive result in step SP27. As a result, the process proceeds from step SP27 to step SP28, and a voice guide is output under the control of the voice processing unit 29. At this time, the controller 28 provides a voice guide based on the remaining distance L to the guide point detected in the immediately preceding step SP25. That is, for example, when the request point is set to 300 [m] before the guide point and a left turn is instructed at the intersection, the voice guidance request acceptance signal ACK is asserted when the remaining distance to the guide point is 240 [m]. , When the voice guidance request acceptance signal ACK is asserted when the remaining distance to the guide point is 180 [m], while outputting a voice guide saying "Turn left at approximately 240 [m] ahead intersection" A voice guide saying “It is a left turn at about 180 [m] ahead intersection” is output. Thereby, in this embodiment, even when the provision range of the voice guide by the request point and the limit point is set to a large range, the voice guide can be surely provided. When the voice guide is provided in this way, the controller 28 negates the voice guidance request signal Req in the following step SP29, and moves to step SP30 to end the processing procedure.
[0046]
As a result, in the car navigation apparatus 10, while the vehicle is traveling between the request point and the limit point set before the guide point, the audio guide is provided after waiting for the break of the audio signal. (FIGS. 3A, 3E, and 3F).
[0047]
On the other hand, if the break of the audio signal cannot be detected while the vehicle is running between the request point and the limit point, the controller 28 gives an affirmative result in step SP26 when the vehicle passes the limit point. Thus, the process proceeds from step SP26 to step SP31. Here, the controller 28 determines whether or not the current position exceeds the absolute limit point. Here, the absolute limit point is a reference point for giving up providing the voice guide, and is provided at a location closer to the guide point than the limit point. As a result, the car navigation apparatus 1 stops providing the voice guide immediately before the guide point, and always provides the voice guide in a state where there is room for the user. In this embodiment, this absolute limit point is set as a guide point.
[0048]
Thus, immediately after reaching the limit point, a negative result is obtained in step SP31, so that the controller 28 proceeds from step SP31 to step SP32, where the sound reduction control signal ATT is asserted. In the subsequent step SP33, the sound guide is output in the same manner as described above for step SP28, and then the sound reduction control signal ATT is negated. In the following step SP29, the voice guidance request signal Req held in the asserted state is negated, and the process proceeds to step SP30 to end this processing procedure.
[0049]
As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, after instructing the audio guidance request signal Req to detect the break of the audio signal at the request point, the break of the audio signal is not detected even after waiting for the limit point (FIG. 4 (B ), (D) to (F)), that is, when no inter-song or the like is detected in the guide insertion range by the request point and the limit point, the car navigation device 1 is forced to assert the sound reduction control signal ATT. The volume of the audio output is lowered and a voice guide is output (FIGS. 4A, 4C to 4F).
[0050]
On the other hand, if an affirmative result is obtained in step SP31, the controller 28 proceeds from step SP31 to step SP29, negates the voice guidance request signal Req, and then proceeds to step SP30 to end this processing procedure. In this case, the processing procedure is terminated without outputting any voice guide.
[0051]
(1-2) Operation of the first embodiment
In the above configuration, the car navigation apparatus 10 (FIG. 2) notifies the controller 15 of the audio unit 13 of the operation of the input unit 25 related to the audio unit 13 via the controller 28, the interface 31, and the interface 19. 15, the audio signal is reproduced by the source unit 16 or received by the source unit 16, and the audio signal is processed by the audio signal processing unit 17 to drive the speaker 18. The As a result, the car navigation apparatus 10 can be used to listen to various music contents.
[0052]
In addition, a user operation related to the navigation unit 12 is notified to the controller 28, and a route search process is executed under the control of the navigation unit 12 by the controller 28, and voice is transmitted through a route suitable for the movement detected in the route search. A guide is provided. That is, in the navigation unit 12, the current position of the vehicle on which the car navigation device 10 is mounted is detected by the position detection unit 24, and a route search is performed based on the current position and the destination input via the input unit 25. Processing is executed, and a map or the like related to this route is displayed on the display unit 26. In addition, when the user instructs the route guidance, a voice guide is provided from the speaker 30 so as to move along the route thus detected.
[0053]
In the car navigation device 10, for the process related to the voice guide, a guide point for providing the voice guide is set on the route, and the guide set in this way is based on the current position detected by the position detection unit 24. When approaching the point, a voice guide is provided to instruct a left turn or the like at the intersection.
[0054]
In the car navigation apparatus 10, as shown in FIG. 3, a request point is set at a point before the guide point with respect to such a guide point, and a voice guidance request signal Req is asserted at the request point to The unit 13 is instructed to detect breaks in the audio signal due to the interval between songs. In response to this instruction, when the audio unit 13 is notified of detection of a break in the audio signal by asserting the voice guidance request acceptance signal ACK, the voice guide uses the period during which the volume of the audio output falls at this break. Provided.
[0055]
As a result, in this car navigation apparatus 10, an audio guide is provided between songs and the like, and the audio guide can be reliably provided without disturbing the trial listening of the audio signal.
[0056]
In the car navigation device 10, the audio unit 13 is instructed to detect the break of the audio signal in this way, and until the break of the audio signal is detected, the current position detected by the position detection unit 24 reaches the guide point. Are sequentially updated, and a voice guide is provided based on the remaining distance. As a result, in this embodiment, an accurate voice guide can be provided even if the break of the audio signal is detected at an early stage, in front of the guide point by setting the request point. Thus, if the break of the audio signal is detected from the front side of the guide point at an early stage, the frequency of detection of the break of the audio signal can be improved until the guide point is reached. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the frequency of providing the voice guide by forcibly lowering the volume of the audio signal and to prevent the audio signal from being auditioned. As a result, the car navigation device 10 can provide a voice guide without failing to prevent further listening to the audio signal.
[0057]
However, even if the request point is set in this way, there is a case where no break occurs in the audio signal between the guide point and the point. As a result, in the car navigation device 10, as shown in FIG. 4, when the limit point is provided on the guide point side from the request point and the voice guide is not yet provided, if the limit point is reached, the car navigation device 10 decreases. By asserting the sound control signal ATT, the volume of the audio output is forcibly lowered to output a voice guide. As a result, the car navigation apparatus 1 provides a voice guide between the songs as much as possible, and if the voice guide cannot be provided in time, the volume of the audio output is forcibly lowered to provide the voice guide. It is designed to make sure the user is guided.
[0058]
Even if the request point and the limit point are set in this way, there may be a case where the voice guide is not yet provided near the guide point due to a position detection error or the like. For this reason, in the car navigation device 10, the absolute limit point is provided further on the guide point side than the limit point, and the provision of the voice guide is stopped when the absolute limit point is reached without providing the voice guide yet. The However, even if voice guidance is provided in the immediate vicinity of such guide points, the user cannot take corresponding actions, and when taking actions by voice guidance, there is no room, so there is no allowance. There is a fear. As a result, in such a case, the car navigation apparatus 10 stops providing the voice guide so that the user can drive safely.
[0059]
In this way, the voice navigation is provided by setting the request point and the limit point. In the car navigation apparatus 10, the current position, the current traveling speed, the content of the guide, the record of the history, the road situation, the user setting It is set according to the situation. As a result, the voice guide provided to the user can be weighted, so that the voice guide can be reliably provided.
[0060]
That is, for example, in a voice guide where the timing of providing a voice guide to the user is important, the voice guide is appropriately provided by setting the request point and limit point by shortening the distance from the request point to the limit point. be able to. Incidentally, such a case corresponds to a case where the course is frequently changed. If the user is accustomed to the road, or if the user gives priority to listening to music content, set the request point and limit point by increasing the distance from the request point to the limit point. Priority is given to the audition of the audio signal, thereby improving the user-friendliness.
[0061]
(1-3) Effects of the first embodiment
According to the above configuration, after instructing detection of a break in the audio signal at the audio guide request point set before the guide point, the remaining distance to the guide point is sequentially updated, and by detecting the break in the audio signal, By providing the guide based on the remaining distance by voice, it is possible to provide the voice guide reliably without hindering the listening to music or the like as compared with the prior art. Thereby, a user's discomfort can be reduced.
[0062]
In addition, if a limit point is set at a point close to the guide point compared to the request point of this voice guide and the guide of the corresponding guide point has not been provided yet, the volume of the audio signal is forced at this limit point. Therefore, even when the audio guide is provided at the break of the audio signal, the audio guide can be surely provided.
[0063]
Further, by changing the request point and / or limit point of the voice guide according to the situation, it is possible to appropriately provide the voice guide and improve user convenience.
[0064]
In addition, by executing the control related to the provision of the voice guide by negating and asserting the voice guidance request signal Req, the voice guidance request acceptance signal ACK, and the sound reduction control signal ATT between the navigation unit and the audio unit. With a simple configuration, it is possible to reliably provide a voice guide without hindering listening to music or the like as compared with the prior art. In particular, the configuration can be simplified by applying to a device in which a configuration related to navigation and a configuration related to content processing are separated from each other, or a device configured separately.
[0065]
(2) Second embodiment
In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a car navigation device capable of providing video content in addition to the music content described above, and a guide is provided by sound and video. In addition, in the guide by such a video, the route on the map using the full screen of the display unit until now, the display of the current position is switched to half of the screen, the details of the area related to the guide in the remaining part, For example, it is shown by a bird's-eye view.
[0066]
However, in this embodiment, when listening to music content, an audio guide is provided in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and the display on the display unit is switched when the audio guide is provided. Provide visual guides. On the other hand, when viewing video content, a break is detected in the audio signal associated with the moving image related to this video content, and a voice guide is provided in the same manner as in the first embodiment with reference to this break. In addition, when the audio guide is provided, the display on the display unit is switched to provide a video guide.
[0067]
That is, the break of the audio signal accompanying such a moving image can be detected by a chapter when the video content is content recorded on a DVD or the like. In the case of content by broadcasting, it can be detected by switching between a stereo system and a monaural system, and further by switching between an audio multiplexing system and a stereo system. Therefore, in these cases, a break in the moving image is detected.
[0068]
As described above, the audio signal related to the detection of the break is an audio signal accompanying the moving image, and even if the break of the audio signal is detected based on the break of the moving image and the guide is provided, the same as in the first embodiment. An effect can be obtained. In this case, not only the audio guide but also the guide based on the video can be surely provided without hindering the trial listening of the video and the music content as compared with the conventional case.
[0069]
(3) Other embodiments
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the absolute limit point is set as the guide point has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be set immediately before the guide point as necessary.
[0070]
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the limit point and the absolute limit point are set has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is necessary when the voice guide can be sufficiently provided by setting the request point. Accordingly, the limit point may be omitted. Similarly, the limit point may be omitted depending on the content of the guide.
[0071]
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a car navigation device in which a navigation unit and an audio unit are integrated has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the audio unit is a separate unit. In the case of being constituted by a device, the present invention can be widely applied to the case where a guide is provided by controlling the operation of the audio unit.
[0072]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, after instructing detection of a break in the audio signal at the voice guide request point set before the guide point, the remaining distance to the guide point is sequentially updated, and the break in the audio signal is By providing a guide based on the remaining distance by detection, a voice guide can be reliably provided without disturbing the trial listening of music or the like as compared with the prior art.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in a controller of a car navigation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the car navigation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a time chart for explaining the operation of the car navigation device of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a time chart for explaining the operation of the car navigation apparatus related to forced volume reduction.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a conventional car navigation apparatus.
6 is a time chart for explaining voice guidance in the car navigation device of FIG. 5;
7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the controller of the car navigation device of FIG. 5. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 10 ... Car navigation apparatus, 2, 12 ... Navigation part, 2A, 15, 28 ... Controller, 3, 5, 28, 30 ... Speaker, 4, 13 ... Audio part, 24 ... Position detection Part

Claims (4)

Having a current position detecting means for detecting the current position;
Set a guide point on the route to the destination,
In the navigation device that provides a guide at the guide point by voice based on the approach to the guide point based on the current position detected by the current position detection unit,
Set a request point for voice guidance at a point before the guide point, and set a limit point at a point closer to the guide point compared to the request point for voice guide,
After instructing the audio part that outputs the audio signal from the speaker at the request point of the voice guide to detect the break of the audio signal,
Sequentially update the remaining distance to the guide point according to the current position detected by the current position detection means;
Until the limit point, the detection of the cut in the audio portion, a guide based on the remaining distance to provide a voice,
If the guide of the corresponding guide point has not been provided yet, the volume of the audio signal output from the audio unit is forcibly lowered at the limit point, and the guide of the corresponding guide point is provided.
Based on the history record, in the case of a route that has passed in the past, the voice guidance request point and the limit point are set closer to the guide point than in the case of the first route.
Navigation equipment. The audio signal is an audio signal reproduced from a recording medium;
The cuts, Ru songs between der of the audio signal
The navigation device according to 請 Motomeko 1. Having a display means for displaying a video,
The audio signal is an audio signal accompanying the moving image displayed on the display means;
The cuts, Ru cut der of the video
The navigation device according to 請 Motomeko 1. Set a guide point on the route to the destination,
In a guide method in a navigation apparatus that provides a guide at the guide point by voice by approaching the guide point based on a current position detected by a current position detection unit,
Set a request point for voice guidance at a point before the guide point, and set a limit point at a point closer to the guide point compared to the request point for voice guide,
After instructing the audio part that outputs the audio signal from the speaker at the request point of the voice guide to detect the break of the audio signal,
Sequentially update the remaining distance to the guide point according to the current position detected by the current position detection means;
Until the limit point, the detection of the cut in the audio portion, a guide based on the remaining distance to provide a voice,
If the guide of the corresponding guide point has not been provided yet, the volume of the audio signal output from the audio unit is forcibly lowered at the limit point, and the guide of the corresponding guide point is provided.
Based on the history record, in the case of a route that has passed in the past, the voice guidance request point and the limit point are set closer to the guide point than in the case of the first route.
Guide method in a navigation system.

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