JP7467601B2 - Information processing device, information output method, program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to audio route guidance.

There is known a navigation device that is mounted on a vehicle or the like and provides route guidance to a destination. Patent Document 1 describes a continuous guidance system that outputs voice guidance for a second guidance point in addition to voice guidance for a first guidance point when the distance between successive guidance points is close and the guidance overlaps.

JP 2002-202147 A

A typical navigation device provides route guidance to a destination by displaying a detailed map of the area around the vehicle and the recommended route on the display unit. However, there are also navigation devices (hereafter referred to as "voice navigation devices") that do not display a map or recommended route, but instead provide route guidance to a destination solely by voice output. In the case of a voice navigation device, the content of the voice guidance differs from that of a typical navigation device, and therefore the method of continuous guidance also differs from that of a typical navigation device.

For example, even at a point where a general navigation device would not provide guidance because the driver would simply go straight, a voice navigation device may determine that guidance is necessary in cases where caution is required regarding lane changes. In such cases, if continuous guidance is provided under the same conditions as a general navigation device, it is conceivable that the timing of informing the driver of how to turn after going straight ahead may be too late.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its main objective is to provide an information processing device capable of appropriately providing continuous guidance when route guidance is provided primarily by voice.

The invention described in the claims is an information processing device that provides information regarding vehicle movement, and includes a voice guidance unit that guides the user to a straight lane in which to drive at a lane guidance location that guides the user to a straight lane in which to drive based on a route, and guides the user to change course at a lane change guidance location, and when the lane guidance location and the lane change guidance location are adjacent to each other, the voice guidance unit determines whether to guide the user to the lane guidance location and the lane change guidance location individually or to guide the user to the lane change guidance location consecutively at one time, depending on the order and distance between the lane guidance location and the lane change guidance location, and when the lane guidance location is next to the lane change guidance location, and the distance between the lane change guidance location and the lane guidance location is equal to or less than a first distance, the voice guidance unit guides the user to the lane change guidance location and the lane guidance location consecutively at one time, and when the lane guidance location is next to the lane guidance location, and the distance between the lane change guidance location and the lane change guidance location is equal to or less than a second distance that is longer than the first distance, the voice guidance unit guides the user to the lane change guidance location and the lane guidance location consecutively at one time .

The invention described in the claims is an information output method executed by an information processing device that provides information regarding vehicle movement, and includes a voice guidance step of guiding a straight lane in which to travel at a lane guidance location that guides a straight lane in which to travel based on a route, and guiding a lane change at a lane change guidance location, wherein the voice guidance step determines whether to guide the lane guidance location and the lane change guidance location individually or to guide them consecutively at one time, depending on the order and distance of the lane guidance location and the lane change guidance location, when the lane guidance location and the lane change guidance location are adjacent to each other, and the voice guidance step guides the lane change guidance location and the lane guidance location consecutively at one time when the lane guidance location is next to the lane guidance location and the distance between the lane change guidance location and the lane guidance location is equal to or less than a first distance, and guides the lane change guidance location and the lane guidance location consecutively at one time when the lane change guidance location is next to the lane guidance location and the distance between the lane change guidance location and the lane guidance location is equal to or less than a second distance that is longer than the first distance .

The invention described in the claims is a program that is executed by an information processing device having a computer and provides information regarding vehicle movement, and causes the computer to function as a voice guidance unit that guides the straight lane in which to travel at a lane guidance location that guides the straight lane in which to travel based on a route, and guides the user to change course at a lane change guidance location, and when the lane guidance location and the lane change guidance location are adjacent to each other, the voice guidance unit determines whether to guide the lane guidance location and the lane change guidance location individually or to guide them consecutively at one time , depending on the order and distance between the lane guidance location and the lane change guidance location, and when the lane guidance location is next to the lane guidance location, and the distance between the lane change guidance location and the lane guidance location is equal to or less than a first distance, the voice guidance unit guides the lane change guidance location and the lane guidance location consecutively at one time, and when the lane guidance location is next to the lane guidance location, and the distance between the lane change guidance location and the lane change guidance location is equal to or less than a second distance that is longer than the first distance, the voice guidance unit guides the lane change guidance location and the lane guidance location consecutively at one time .

1 shows an example of the configuration of a voice guidance system according to a first embodiment. 1 shows an example of a schematic configuration of a voice guidance device. Examples of turn guidance and lane guidance are shown below. This shows the criteria for determining whether or not to perform continuous guidance. An example of a guide route is shown below. 4 shows another example of a guide route. 13 is a flowchart of a route guidance process. 13 is a configuration example of a voice guidance system according to a second embodiment. 2 illustrates an example of a schematic configuration of a server device.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, an information processing device that provides information regarding vehicle movement includes a voice guidance unit that provides guidance on the straight lane in which to drive at a lane guidance location that provides guidance on the straight lane in which to drive based on a route, and provides guidance on lane changes at a lane change guidance location, and when the lane guidance location and the lane change guidance location are adjacent to each other, the voice guidance unit determines whether to provide guidance on the lane guidance location and the lane change guidance location individually or consecutively at one time, depending on the order and distance of the lane guidance location and the lane change guidance location.

The information processing device includes a voice guidance unit that provides guidance on the straight lane in which to drive at lane guidance locations that provide guidance on the straight lane in which to drive based on a route, and provides guidance on lane changes at lane change guidance locations. When a lane guidance location and a lane change guidance location are consecutive, the voice guidance unit determines whether to provide guidance on the lane guidance location and the lane change guidance location individually or to provide guidance on both locations consecutively, depending on the order and distance of the lane guidance location and the lane change guidance location. This allows appropriate consecutive guidance to be provided depending on the order and distance of the lane guidance location and the lane change guidance location.

In one aspect of the above information processing device, when the lane guidance location is located next to the route change guidance location, the voice guidance unit provides continuous guidance on the route change guidance location and the lane guidance location at one time when the distance between the route change guidance location and the lane guidance location is equal to or less than a first distance, and when the route change guidance location is located next to the lane guidance location, the voice guidance unit provides continuous guidance on the route change guidance location and the lane guidance location at one time when the distance between the lane guidance location and the route change guidance location is equal to or less than a second distance that is longer than the first distance.

In another aspect of the above information processing device, the voice guidance unit, when two lane guidance destinations are adjacent and the distance between the two lane guidance destinations is equal to or less than the first distance, provides guidance for the two lane guidance destinations consecutively at one time, and when two route change guidance destinations are adjacent and the distance between the two route change guidance destinations is equal to or less than the first distance, provides guidance for the two route change guidance destinations consecutively at one time.

In another aspect of the above information processing device, when two destinations are to be guided consecutively at once, the voice guidance unit outputs a voice guidance for the second destination following the voice guidance for the first destination.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, an information output method executed by an information processing device that provides information related to vehicle movement includes a voice guidance process that provides guidance on the straight lane in which to drive at a lane guidance location that provides guidance on the straight lane in which to drive based on a route, and provides guidance on a lane change at a lane change guidance location, and the voice guidance process determines, when the lane guidance location and the lane change guidance location are consecutive, whether to provide guidance on the lane guidance location and the lane change guidance location individually or to provide guidance on both locations consecutively at once, depending on the order and distance of the lane guidance location and the lane change guidance location. As a result, consecutive guidance is provided appropriately depending on the order and distance of the lane guidance location and the lane change guidance location.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a program that is executed by an information processing device having a computer and provides information regarding vehicle movement causes the computer to function as a voice guidance unit that provides guidance on the straight lane in which to drive at a lane guidance location that provides guidance on the straight lane in which to drive based on a route, and provides guidance on lane changes at a lane change guidance location, and when the lane guidance location and the lane change guidance location are consecutive, the voice guidance unit determines whether to provide guidance on the lane guidance location and the lane change guidance location individually or consecutively at one time, depending on the order and distance of the lane guidance location and the lane change guidance location. The above information processing device can be realized by executing this program on a computer. This program can be stored in a storage medium and used.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.
First Example
[System configuration]
1 shows an example of the configuration of a voice guidance system according to a first embodiment of an information processing apparatus of the present invention. The voice guidance system includes a vehicle Ve and a voice guidance device 1.

The voice guidance device 1 moves with the vehicle Ve and provides route guidance mainly through voice so that the vehicle Ve travels along the route to be guided (also called the "guidance route"). Note that "route guidance mainly through voice" refers to route guidance that allows the user to grasp the information necessary to drive the vehicle Ve along the guidance route at least from voice alone, and does not exclude the voice guidance device 1 displaying a map around the current position as an auxiliary. In this embodiment, the voice guidance device 1 outputs information on at least a point on the route where guidance is required (also called the "guidance point") by voice. Here, the guidance point corresponds to, for example, an intersection where the vehicle Ve turns right or left, or other important passing points for the vehicle Ve to travel along the guidance route. The voice guidance device 1 provides voice guidance on the guidance point, such as the distance from the vehicle Ve to the next guidance point and the direction of travel at the guidance point. Hereinafter, the voice regarding the guidance for the guidance route will also be called "route voice guidance".

The voice guidance device 1 may be an in-vehicle device installed or attached to the vehicle Ve, or may be a mobile terminal such as a smartphone that is brought into the vehicle and used. In yet another example, the voice guidance device 1 may be incorporated into the vehicle Ve. The voice guidance device 1 is an example of an "information processing device."

[Device configuration]
2 shows an example of a schematic configuration of the voice guidance device 1. The voice guidance device 1 mainly includes a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, an input unit 13, a control unit 14, a sensor group 15, a display unit 16, and a voice output unit 17. The elements in the voice guidance device 1 are connected to each other via a bus line 10.

The communication unit 11 performs data communication with other terminals under the control of the control unit 14. The communication unit 11 may receive, for example, map data for updating a map DB (Database) 4 (described later) from a map management server (not shown).

The storage unit 12 is composed of various types of memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), and non-volatile memory (including hard disk drive, flash memory, etc.). The storage unit 12 stores programs for the voice guidance device 1 to execute predetermined processes. The above-mentioned programs may include application programs for providing route guidance by voice, application programs for playing music, and application programs for outputting content other than music (television, etc.). The storage unit 12 is also used as a working memory for the control unit 14. The programs executed by the voice guidance device 1 may be stored in a storage medium other than the storage unit 12.

The memory unit 12 also stores a map DB (Data Base) 4. The map DB 4 stores various data necessary for route guidance. The map DB 4 is a database that includes, for example, road data that represents a road network by a combination of nodes and links, and facility data that indicates facilities that are candidates for a destination, a stop-off point, or a landmark. The map DB 4 may be updated based on map information received by the communication unit 11 from a map management server under the control of the control unit 14.

The input unit 13 is a button, a touch panel, a remote controller, a voice input device, etc. that the user operates. The display unit 16 is a display or the like that displays information based on the control of the control unit 14. The voice output unit 17 is a speaker or the like that outputs sound based on the control of the control unit 14.

The sensor group 15 includes an external sensor 18 and an internal sensor 19. The external sensor 18 is one or more sensors for recognizing the surrounding environment of the vehicle Ve, such as a camera, a lidar, a radar, an ultrasonic sensor, an infrared sensor, or a sonar. The internal sensor 19 is a sensor for positioning the vehicle Ve, such as a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver, a gyro sensor, an IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), a vehicle speed sensor, or a combination thereof. Note that the sensor group 15 may include a sensor that allows the control unit 14 to directly or indirectly derive the position of the vehicle Ve from the output of the sensor group 15 (i.e., by performing an estimation process).

The control unit 14 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc., and controls the entire voice guidance device 1. For example, the control unit 14 estimates the position (including the direction of travel) of the vehicle Ve based on the output of one or more sensors of the sensor group 15. In addition, when a destination is specified by the input unit 13, the control unit 14 generates route information indicating a guide route that is a route to the destination, and performs route guidance based on the route information, the estimated position information of the vehicle Ve, and the map DB 4. In this case, the control unit 14 controls the audio output unit 17 to output route audio guidance to the audio output unit 17. In addition, the control unit 14 controls the display unit 16 to display information on the music being played, video content, or a map around the current position. The control unit 14 and the audio output unit 17 are examples of audio guidance units.

The processing performed by the control unit 14 is not limited to being realized by software using a program, but may be realized by any combination of hardware, firmware, and software. The processing performed by the control unit 14 may also be realized using a user-programmable integrated circuit, such as an FPGA (field-programmable gate array) or a microcomputer. In this case, the program executed by the control unit 14 in this embodiment may be realized using this integrated circuit. In this way, the control unit 14 may be realized by hardware other than a processor.

The configuration of the voice guidance device 1 shown in FIG. 2 is an example, and various changes may be made to the configuration shown in FIG. 2. For example, instead of the map DB4 being stored in the memory unit 12, the control unit 14 may receive information necessary for route guidance from a map management server (not shown) via the communication unit 11. In another example, instead of including the voice output unit 17, the voice guidance device 1 may be electrically connected to the voice output unit 17 configured separately from the voice guidance device 1 or by a known communication means, thereby causing the voice output unit 17 to output a voice. In this case, the voice output unit 17 may be a speaker provided in the vehicle Ve. In yet another example, the voice guidance device 1 may not be provided with the display unit 16. In this case, the voice guidance device 1 may not perform any control regarding the display, and may be electrically connected to a display unit provided in the vehicle Ve or the like by wire or wirelessly, thereby causing the display unit to perform a predetermined display. Similarly, instead of including the sensor group 15, the voice guidance device 1 may acquire information output by a sensor provided in the vehicle Ve from the vehicle Ve based on a communication protocol such as CAN (Controller Area Network).

[Lane Guidance]
Next, lane guidance by the voice guidance device 1 will be described. In a typical navigation device, a map and a guide route are displayed on the display unit, so voice guidance is basically provided at points where the vehicle changes course. This voice guidance is called "route change guidance," and a point such as an intersection where route change guidance is provided is called a "route change guidance location." FIG. 3(A) shows an example of a route change guidance location. When a vehicle Ve is traveling along a guide route R and should turn right at intersection A according to the guide route, a guidance voice is output encouraging the vehicle to turn right at intersection A, such as "Turn right at intersection A."

In contrast, in the case of the voice guidance device 1, voice guidance is provided to indicate the straight lane in which the vehicle should travel, even at a point where the vehicle does not need to change course. This voice guidance is called "lane guidance", and a point such as an intersection where lane guidance is provided is called a "lane guidance point". FIG. 3(B) shows an example of a lane guidance point. When the vehicle Ve is traveling along the guidance route R and should go straight through intersection A, but intersection A has a right-turn lane, the voice guidance device 1 provides guidance such as "Go straight through intersection A. Please travel in the left lane." As in the example of FIG. 3(B), a lane guidance point is set at an intersection that has a right-turn exclusive lane or a left-turn exclusive lane. In addition, a lane guidance point is also set when indicating the lane in which to travel in preparation for a course change at the next course change guidance point. For example, if the guidance route indicates a right turn at intersection B following intersection A, voice guidance is provided to drive in the straight lane on the right side, with intersection A as the lane guidance point, in order to make it easier to turn right at the next intersection B. In this way, lane guidance is performed to inform the user of the lane in which to proceed straight, without changing course at intersections, etc. In this way, the voice guidance device 1 performs lane guidance and course change guidance at necessary points along the guidance route.

[Continuous announcements]
When the distance between two consecutive guide locations on the guide route is close, continuous guidance is performed. Here, whether or not to perform continuous guidance is determined based on the distance between the two consecutive guide locations. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4A, when there are consecutive guide locations 1 and 2 on the guide route R, the voice guidance device 1 compares the distance D between the two guide locations with a predetermined continuous guidance determination distance Dt. Then, when the distance D between the two guide locations is longer than the continuous guidance determination distance Dt, the voice guidance device 1 does not perform continuous guidance and provides guidance for the two guide locations individually. On the other hand, when the distance D between the two guide locations is equal to or less than the continuous guidance determination distance Dt, the voice guidance device 1 performs continuous guidance.

Here, since the guidance destinations for which voice guidance is provided by the voice guidance device 1 include lane guidance destinations and route change guidance destinations, the consecutive guidance judgment distance Dt is set according to the combination of these two consecutive guidance destinations and the distance D between them. Figure 4 (B) shows an example of setting the consecutive guidance judgment distance. Now, as shown in Figure 4 (A), assume that there are two consecutive guidance destinations on the guidance route R, namely guidance destination 1 and guidance destination 2. Since each guidance destination is either a lane guidance destination or a route change guidance destination, the combinations are classified into four cases as shown in Figure 4 (B). Each case will be explained below.

An example of case 1 is shown in FIG. 5(A). In case 1, both guide location 1 and guide location 2 are route change guide locations. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4(B), the continuous guidance judgment distance Dt is set to the first distance (350 m). When the distance D between guide location 1 and guide location 2 is longer than 350 m, the voice guidance device 1 performs route change guidance for guide location 1 and guide location 2 separately. For example, the voice guidance device 1 performs guidance for guide location 1, saying "Turn right at guide location 1," and for guide location 2, saying "Turn left at guide location 2." On the other hand, when the distance D between guide location 1 and guide location 2 is 350 m or less, the voice guidance device 1 performs continuous guidance. For example, the voice guidance device 1 performs guidance for guide location 1, saying "Turn right at guide location 1. Turn left at guide location 2 beyond that." Note that, when continuous guidance is performed for guide location 1, guidance for guide location 2 may be omitted, or guidance for guide location 2 only may be performed.

An example of case 2 is shown in FIG. 5(B). In case 2, guidance location 1 is a route change guidance location, and guidance location 2 is a lane guidance location. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4(B), the continuous guidance judgment distance Dt is set to the first distance (350 m). When the distance D between guidance location 1 and guidance location 2 is longer than 350 m, the voice guidance device 1 performs route change guidance at guidance location 1 and lane guidance at guidance location 2. For example, the voice guidance device 1 provides guidance at guidance location 1, saying "Turn right at guidance location 1," and at guidance location 2, saying "Use the left lane at guidance location 2." On the other hand, when the distance D between guidance location 1 and guidance location 2 is 350 m or less, the voice guidance device 1 provides continuous guidance. For example, the voice guidance device 1 provides guidance at guidance location 1, saying "Turn right at guidance location 1. Use the left lane at guidance location 2 beyond that."

An example of case 3 is shown in FIG. 6(A). In case 3, guidance location 1 is a lane guidance location, and guidance location 2 is a route change guidance location. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4(B), the continuous guidance determination distance Dt is set to a second distance (700 m) longer than the first distance (350 m). This is to convey guidance information at guidance location 2 to the user earlier. If the continuous guidance determination distance Dt in case 3 is set to the first distance as in the other cases, continuous guidance will not be performed unless the distance D between guidance location 1 and guidance location 2 is 350 m or less. However, in case 3, guidance location 1 is a lane guidance location, so if continuous guidance is not performed, after guidance is given on the straight lane to be traveled at guidance location 1, the user will not understand why he or she should travel in that lane until the vehicle approaches guidance location 2, and it is expected that this will cause anxiety. As described above, lane guidance often provides guidance on the straight lane in which to travel in preparation for a route change at the next guidance location, so if the next guidance location is a route change guidance location, it is thought that the user will be able to understand the route to be taken if guidance is provided in combination with the route change guidance location. Therefore, when a route change guidance location follows a lane guidance location, the continuous guidance determination distance Dt is made longer than in other cases, making it easier for continuous guidance to be provided.

Specifically, when the distance D between guide point 1 and guide point 2 is longer than 700 m, the voice guidance device 1 provides lane guidance at guide point 1 and route change guidance at guide point 2. For example, the voice guidance device 1 provides guidance at guide point 1, saying "Keep in the right lane at guide point 1," and at guide point 2, saying "Turn right at guide point 2." On the other hand, when the distance D between guide point 1 and guide point 2 is 700 m or less, the voice guidance device 1 provides continuous guidance. For example, the voice guidance device 1 provides guidance at guide point 1, saying "Keep in the right lane at guide point 1. Turn right at guide point 2 beyond."

An example of case 4 is shown in FIG. 6(B). In case 4, both guide location 1 and guide location 2 are lane guide locations. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4(B), the continuous guidance judgment distance Dt is set to the first distance (350 m). When the distance D between guide location 1 and guide location 2 is 350 m or more, the voice guidance device 1 performs lane guidance for guide location 1 and guide location 2 individually. For example, the voice guidance device 1 provides guidance at guide location 1, saying "Please drive in the left lane at guide location 1," and at guide location 2, saying "Please drive in the left lane at guide location 2." On the other hand, when the distance D between guide location 1 and guide location 2 is 350 m or less, the voice guidance device 1 performs continuous guidance. For example, the voice guidance device 1 provides guidance at guide location 1, saying "Please drive in the left lane at guide location 1. Please drive in the left lane at guide location 2 beyond that."

[Route Guidance Processing]
7 is a flow chart of the route guidance process including the above-mentioned continuous guidance. When the user sets a destination and starts route guidance, the voice guidance device 1 acquires information on two guidance destinations (first and second guidance destinations) from the current position of the vehicle (step S11). Next, the voice guidance device 1 judges whether the two guidance destinations are a lane guidance destination and a route change guidance destination in that order, i.e., whether the above-mentioned case 3 applies (step S12).

If the two guidance destinations are not in the order of lane guidance destination and route change guidance destination (step S12: No), the voice guidance device 1 determines whether to provide continuous guidance using the first distance (300 m) (step S13). On the other hand, if the two guidance destinations are in the order of lane guidance destination and route change guidance destination (step S12: Yes), the voice guidance device 1 determines whether to provide continuous guidance using a second distance (700 m) that is longer than the first distance (300 m) (step S14).

Next, the voice guidance device 1 determines whether the timing for providing guidance for the first guidance location has arrived (step S15). If the timing for providing guidance for the first guidance location has not arrived (step S15: No), the voice guidance device 1 waits for the timing for providing guidance. On the other hand, if the timing for providing guidance for the first guidance location has arrived (step S15: Yes), the voice guidance device 1 provides voice guidance (step S16). At this time, if it is determined in step S13 or S14 that continuous guidance is to be provided, the voice guidance device 1 provides guidance for the first guidance location and the second guidance location as continuous guidance. On the other hand, if it is not determined that continuous guidance is to be provided, the voice guidance device 1 only provides guidance for the first guidance location.

Next, the voice guidance device 1 determines whether the vehicle has arrived at the destination (step S17). If the vehicle has not arrived at the destination (step S17: No), the process returns to step S11. Here, if only the first guide location is guided in step S16, the voice guidance device 1 acquires information on the next two guide locations (second and third guide locations) for which guidance has not been provided in step S11. On the other hand, if continuous guidance is provided in step S16, the voice guidance device 1 acquires information on the next two guide locations (third and fourth guide locations) for which guidance has not been provided in step S11. On the other hand, if the vehicle has arrived at the destination (step S17: Yes), the route guidance process ends.

Thus, according to this embodiment, when two consecutive guidance locations on the guidance route arrive in the order of a lane guidance location and a route change guidance location, the consecutive guidance judgment distance is made longer than in other cases. This makes it easier for information about the next route change guidance location to be simultaneously output by voice at the lane guidance location, enabling the user to drive while being aware of the next route change.

Second Example
8 shows an example of the configuration of a voice guidance system according to the second embodiment. The voice guidance system according to the second embodiment mainly includes a vehicle Ve, a voice guidance device 1A, and a server device 2. Note that components similar to those in the first embodiment are appropriately designated by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The voice guidance device 1A has the same configuration as the voice guidance device 1 described in the first embodiment (see FIG. 2). In this modified example, the server device 2 performs route search processing and route guidance processing based on the map DB 4, so the voice guidance device 1A does not need to have the map DB 4. When the voice guidance device 1A detects an input specifying a destination or the like by a user through the input unit 13, the voice guidance device 1A transmits an upload signal "S1" including the position information of the vehicle Ve output by the sensor group 15 and information regarding the specified destination to the server device 2. When the vehicle Ve travels, the voice guidance device 1A supplies the upload signal S1 including the position information of the vehicle Ve to the server device 2. When the voice guidance device 1A receives a control signal "S2" regarding voice output from the server device 2 during the travel of the vehicle Ve, the voice output unit 17 outputs voice based on the control signal S2. In this case, the voice guidance device 1A outputs route voice guidance based on the control signal S2.

The server device 2 generates route information indicating the guidance route along which the vehicle Ve should travel, based on the upload signal S1 including the destination and the like received from the voice guidance device 1A. The server device 2 then generates a control signal S2 related to the output of route voice guidance, based on the position information of the vehicle Ve indicated by the upload signal S1 transmitted by the voice guidance device 1A and the route information held by the server device 2. The server device 2 decides to provide continuous guidance depending on the types of the two consecutive guidance locations mentioned above (whether lane guidance location or route change guidance location) and the distance between them. The server device 2 then transmits the generated control signal S2 to the voice guidance device 1A.

Figure 9 shows an example of a schematic configuration of the server device 2. The server device 2 mainly has a communication unit 21, a memory unit 22, and a control unit 24. Each element within the server device 2 is connected to each other via a bus line 20.

The communication unit 21 performs data communication with external devices such as the voice guidance device 1A under the control of the control unit 24. The storage unit 22 is composed of various types of memory such as RAM, ROM, and non-volatile memory (including a hard disk drive, a flash memory, etc.). The storage unit 22 stores a program for the server device 2 to execute a predetermined process. The storage unit 22 also includes a map DB4. The control unit 24 includes a CPU, a GPU, etc., and controls the entire server device 2. The control unit 24 also executes at least a part of the process of the voice guidance device 1 described in the above embodiment by executing the program stored in the storage unit 22. For example, the control unit 24 generates route information indicating the guidance route and generates a control signal S2 related to the output of route voice guidance based on an upload signal S1 received from the voice guidance device 1A via the communication unit 21. The control unit 24 then transmits the generated control signal S2 to the voice guidance device 1A via the communication unit 21.

The server device 2 executes the process of the flowchart shown in Figure 7 based on the upload signal S1 and the map DB 4. In this case, the server device 2 generates route information based on the upload signal S1, which includes information regarding the destination and the output of the sensor group 15. The server device 2 also generates or acquires position information of the vehicle Ve based on the upload signal S1 regarding the output of the sensor group 15 transmitted from the voice guidance device 1A. The server device 2 then generates a control signal S2 for outputting voice guidance, including cases where continuous guidance is provided, based on the guidance route and the position information of the vehicle Ve, and transmits the control signal S2 to the voice guidance device 1A.

In this way, even if the server device 2 actually controls the voice guidance device 1A regarding route guidance, the voice guidance system can preferably notify the user that the vehicle Ve has been able to proceed to the guidance point in accordance with the route voice guidance, as in the embodiment. In the second embodiment, the server device 2 is an example of an "information processing device."

In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the program can be stored using various types of non-transitory computer readable media and supplied to a control unit, which is a computer. Non-transitory computer readable media include various types of tangible storage media. Examples of non-transitory computer readable media include magnetic storage media (e.g., flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives), magneto-optical storage media (e.g., magneto-optical disks), CD-ROMs (Read Only Memory), CD-Rs, CD-R/Ws, and semiconductor memories (e.g., mask ROMs, PROMs (Programmable ROMs), EPROMs (Erasable PROMs), flash ROMs, and RAMs (Random Access Memory)).

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by a person skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention. In other words, the present invention naturally includes various modifications and amendments that a person skilled in the art could make in accordance with the entire disclosure, including the scope of the claims, and the technical ideas. Furthermore, the disclosures of the above cited patent documents, etc. are incorporated by reference into this document.

1 Voice guidance device 2 Server device 4 Map DB
Reference Signs List 11, 21 Communication unit 12, 22 Storage unit 13 Input unit 14, 24 Control unit 15 Sensor group 16 Display unit 17 Audio output unit

Claims (6)

An information processing device that provides information regarding vehicle movement,
a voice guidance unit that provides guidance on a straight lane in which to drive at a lane guidance area that provides guidance on a straight lane in which to drive based on a route and provides guidance on a lane change at a lane change guidance area;
the voice guidance unit, when the lane guidance location and the route change guidance location are consecutive, determines whether to provide guidance for the lane guidance location and the route change guidance location individually or consecutively at one time, depending on an order and a distance between the lane guidance location and the route change guidance location ;
The information processing device wherein the voice guidance unit, when the lane guidance location is present next to the route change guidance location and the distance between the route change guidance location and the lane guidance location is equal to or less than a first distance, provides continuous guidance of the route change guidance location and the lane guidance location at one time, and when the lane guidance location is present next to the route change guidance location and the distance between the lane guidance location and the route change guidance location is equal to or less than a second distance that is longer than the first distance, provides continuous guidance of the route change guidance location and the lane guidance location at one time . The voice guidance unit
When two lane guidance locations are consecutive, when the distance between the two lane guidance locations is equal to or less than the first distance, the two lane guidance locations are consecutively guided at one time;
2 . The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein when two route-change guidance locations are consecutive, and the distance between the two route-change guidance locations is equal to or less than the first distance, the two route-change guidance locations are consecutively guided at one time. 3 . The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the voice guidance unit, when providing guidance for two guide locations consecutively at one time, outputs a voice guidance for the first guide location followed by a voice guidance for the second guide location. 1. An information output method executed by an information processing device that provides information related to vehicle movement, comprising:
a voice guidance step of guiding the vehicle in a straight lane in a lane guidance area that guides the vehicle in a straight lane based on the route and of guiding the vehicle to change course in a course change guidance area;
the voice guidance step, when the lane guidance destination and the route change guidance destination are consecutive, determines whether to provide guidance for the lane guidance destination and the route change guidance destination individually or consecutively at one time, depending on an order and a distance between the lane guidance destination and the route change guidance destination;
The voice guidance process includes, when the lane guidance location is located next to the route change guidance location, and when the distance between the route change guidance location and the lane guidance location is equal to or less than a first distance, providing continuous guidance of the route change guidance location and the lane guidance location at one time, and when the lane guidance location is located next to the route change guidance location, and when the distance between the lane guidance location and the route change guidance location is equal to or less than a second distance that is longer than the first distance, providing continuous guidance of the route change guidance location and the lane guidance location at one time . A program that is executed by an information processing device having a computer and provides information regarding vehicle movement,
making the computer function as a voice guidance unit that provides guidance on the straight lane in which to drive at a lane guidance area that provides guidance on the straight lane in which to drive, and provides guidance on lane changes at lane change guidance areas, based on the route;
the voice guidance unit, when the lane guidance location and the route change guidance location are consecutive, determines whether to provide guidance for the lane guidance location and the route change guidance location individually or consecutively at one time, depending on an order and a distance between the lane guidance location and the route change guidance location ;
The voice guidance unit provides continuous guidance of the route change guidance location and the lane guidance location at one time when the lane guidance location is located next to the route change guidance location and the distance between the route change guidance location and the lane guidance location is equal to or less than a first distance, and provides continuous guidance of the route change guidance location and the lane guidance location at one time when the route change guidance location is located next to the lane guidance location and the distance between the lane guidance location and the route change guidance location is equal to or less than a second distance that is longer than the first distance . A storage medium storing the program according to claim 5 .

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