JPH0916197A - Voice outputting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To output voice guide with no monotonous expression but a human manner. SOLUTION: This device is provided with a voice signal output means 7 outputting the prescribed voice code from a voice source, a sense information switching means 8 varying sense information of a voice code output from the voice signal output means 7, and a voice information output means 9 outputting voice information corresponding to sense information varied by the sense information switching means 8. And sense information of a voice code output from the voice signal output means 7 outputting the prescribed voice code is varied, and voice information corresponding to the varied sense information is outputted.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a voice output device for guiding a voice by a car navigation device or the like for detecting the current position of a vehicle. For example, the current position of a running car is detected and already set. The present invention relates to a voice output device that guides by voice the difference between the route and the intersection, or the position of an intersection that makes a right turn or a left turn.

In particular, the voice output device of the present invention can be used not only as a car navigation device but also as a man-machine interface for outputting the output of a control system by voice.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art As a car navigation device of this type, Japanese Patent Publication No. 58-70125 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 59-15.
The techniques disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3115 and the like can be mentioned.

The technique disclosed in Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 58-70125 stores the locus of past travels, and when the user again goes to the same destination, the locus is read out and C
It is displayed on the RT screen.

Further, in the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 59-153115, a destination is set in advance by inputting each data of latitude, longitude and direction as a destination, and a destination between the starting point and the destination is set. The straight line distance and direction are obtained and the longitude, latitude and direction reached while the vehicle is running are displayed. In the case of the return route, the same display as the outward route is displayed with the starting point as the destination by key operation.

On the other hand, at present, a voice guide saying "Please turn left at the next intersection" or "Turn right at the next intersection" is provided 500m before the intersection where you can turn right or left on the selected route. Is commercially available.

[0007]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] A conventional car navigation system for performing voice guidance is "turn left at the next intersection" or "next turn" at a few hundred meters before the intersection that turns right or left on a predetermined route. Please turn right at the intersection of No. ", but of course," Please turn left at the intersection 500 m ahead "," 3
You can also devise a voice output device that outputs the message "Please turn left at the intersection 00m ahead" and "Turn left at the intersection 100m ahead" as you approach the target intersection.

However, the voice guide of the car navigation system outputs the synthesized word as voice,
"Please turn left at the intersection 500m ahead", "300
Since the message "Please turn left at the intersection m ahead" and "Turn left at the intersection 100m ahead" are output monotonously, you may miss how many meters you need to turn left at the intersection. .

In addition, even in the output of the control system which is guided by voice, when repeated erroneous operation is performed, guiding with the same voice is monotonous, and while the operator may be indifferent to the repeated erroneous operation guide, Some people in the vicinity are sensitive to the voice of the guide, and the voice of the voice guide may be annoying to those people.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a voice output device capable of outputting a voice guide in a human-like manner instead of a monotone expression.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a voice output device, wherein voice signal output means for outputting a predetermined voice code from a voice source and sensitivity information of the voice code output from the voice signal output means are changed. And a voice information output unit for outputting voice information associated with the sensitivity information changed by the sensitivity information switching unit.

The audio signal output means for outputting a predetermined audio code from the audio source of the audio output device according to claim 2 includes sensitivity information switching means for changing the sensitivity information of the output from the audio signal output means according to the input. A voice information output unit for outputting voice information associated with the sensitivity information changed by the sensitivity information switching unit.

Claim 1 of the audio output device according to claim 3
Alternatively, the sensitivity information switching means for changing the sensitivity information according to the input according to claim 2 is for changing the sensitivity information in a predetermined pattern according to the input.

Claim 1 of the audio output device according to claim 4
The input of the sensitivity information switching unit according to any one of claims 3 to 3 is a plurality of sensor inputs.

Claim 1 of the audio output device according to claim 5
The input to the sensitivity information switching means according to any one of claims 3 to 3 is a plurality of switch inputs.

Claim 1 of the audio output device according to claim 6
The sensitivity information switching means for changing according to the input according to any one of claims 5 to 6 sets the input as road information and current position information of a destination route of the car navigation device, and separates from the road of the destination route. According to the above, sensitivity information associated with the distance to the road of the destination route is added.

Claim 1 of the audio output device according to claim 7
The sensitivity information switching means for changing according to the input according to any one of claims 6 to 6, wherein the input is the right turn left turn target position information and the current position information of the car navigation device, and the path is approached as the right turn left turn target position is approached. Sensitivity information associated with the distance from the right turn left turn target position is added to the changed voice information.

Claim 1 of the audio output device according to claim 8
The sensitivity information switching unit according to any one of claims 7 to 9 is for changing at least one of a voice speed and a voice pitch frequency in addition to the volume.

[0019]

According to the present invention, the kansei information of the voice code output from the voice signal output means for outputting a predetermined voice code from the voice source is changed, and the voice information associated with the changed kansei information is output. To do.

In the second aspect, the sensitivity information of the output from the audio signal output means for outputting a predetermined audio code from the audio source is changed according to the input, and the audio information associated with the changed sensitivity information is obtained. Output.

In the third aspect, the sensitivity information switching means for changing the sensitivity information according to the input according to the first or second aspect sequentially changes the sensitivity information in a predetermined pattern.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the input of the sensitivity information switching means according to any one of the first to third aspects is a plurality of sensor inputs.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the input of the sensitivity information switching means according to any one of the first to third aspects is a plurality of switch inputs.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the sensitivity information switching means for changing the input according to any one of the first to fifth aspects is used for the input of road information and the current position of the destination route of the car navigation device. As information, sensitivity information associated with the distance to the road of the destination route is added as the distance from the road of the destination route increases, and the information is output as a voice.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the sensitivity information switching means for changing the input according to any one of the first to sixth aspects is used for the input of the right turn left turn target position information and the current position information of the car navigation device. As the right turn left turn target position is approached, the sensitivity information associated with the distance to the right turn left turn target position is added to the voice information of the course change, and the voice information is output.

In the eighth aspect, the sensitivity information switching means according to any one of the first to seventh aspects changes not only volume but also one or more of voice speed and voice pitch frequency. The same information as humans is used to guide the response delay.

[0027]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The case where the voice output device of the embodiment of the present invention is used in a car navigation system will be described below.

FIG. 1 is an overall block diagram in which a voice output device according to an embodiment of the present invention is used in a car navigation device, and FIG. 2 is a sensitivity when the voice output device according to an embodiment of the present invention is used in a car navigation device. It is a block diagram of information switching means.

In FIG. 1, GPS (hereinafter simply referred to as "GP
S (Global Positioning System) ”) Receiver 2
Is a known receiver that measures its own position by using radio waves from three or more positioning satellites 12. The G
The inside of the PS receiver 2 is composed of a receiving section, a separated signal for demodulation of orbital data and distance measurement, and a received signal processing section which outputs the calculated latitude and longitude of these signals. The GPS receiver 2 has a GPS antenna 1 for receiving radio waves from a plurality of positioning artificial satellites 12.
The radio signal is input from. The output of the GPS receiver 2 is input to the calculating means 3 which is a microcomputer.

The car navigation system of this embodiment constitutes a positioning detecting means for measuring the position of the vehicle using the positioning artificial satellite 12 by means of the GPS antenna 1 and the GPS receiver 2.

Further, a map data means 10 for storing map data is connected to the arithmetic means 3, and GP
The corresponding area of the road map corresponding to the display means 4 made of liquid crystal or the like is displayed in relation to the position information of the own vehicle from the positioning detection means made up of the S antenna 1 and the GPS receiver 2. Further, the storage means 6 including a RAM for storing the position of the intersection and the traveling direction of the intersection, which automatically or manually set the route corresponding to the destination on the map of the map data means 10.
Is connected. A timer is built in the calculating means 3, and the positioning data calculated by the calculating means 3 at predetermined time intervals are stored in the storage means 6. Also,
The distance between the current positioning position calculated by the calculation means 3 and the target position or the nearest right-turn or left-turn intersection, the departure distance from the selected route for reaching the destination, and the direction from the current positioning position are calculated. Necessary items such as the traveling direction of the vehicle to be displayed, the guide direction, and comments are stored in the storage unit 6, and the necessary items are displayed using the display unit 4. The operation means 5 is for setting the car navigation mode and automatically or manually setting the destination and the shortest distance or the best route corresponding to the destination on the map of the map data means 10.

The voice signal output means 7 is a circuit for generating a specific synthesized sound which is commercially available such as voice synthesis LCI. In this embodiment, "500m", "300m",
"100m", "Turn left at the previous intersection",
A synthetic sound such as "turn right at the previous intersection" is output as a voice code.

The sensitivity information switching means 8 outputs the synthesized voice output from the voice signal output means 7 as a voice code,
The standard speech waveform generation unit 21 converts the standard speech signal into a standard speech signal, and then the generation speed control unit 22 changes the generation speed of the standard speech signal according to the parameter given from the sensitivity output control unit 25. 23, the voice pitch frequency is changed, and further, the volume control unit 24 controls the volume level to output it as voice.

The voice information output means 9 is a speaker connected via a filter, an amplifier and the like as required.

The detecting means 11 inputs signals such as a vehicle speed sensor, a traveling distance sensor, a gyro, a steering wheel rotation sensor, and an operation of a turn indicator.

Further, the sensitivity information switching means 8 will be described in detail.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of the operation of the generation speed control unit of the audio output device according to the embodiment of the present invention. (A) and (b) are explanatory views when the generation speed is slowed, (c) and (). FIG. 4D is an explanatory diagram for increasing the generation speed, and FIGS. 8E and 8F are explanatory diagrams for explaining the difference between the normal speaking method and the yelling speaking method. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the voice pitch frequency in the generation speed control unit of the voice output device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The standard voice waveform generator 21 performs a standard voice waveform from the voice code string by voice restriction synthesis, that is,
Generate a standard speech waveform. The voice restriction synthesis is basically a combination of waveforms of phonemes of 50 sounds and is a known processing circuit generally used in a voice synthesis apparatus.

The generation speed control section 22 changes the voice waveform according to the ratio of the instructed generation speed, that is, the generation speed of the standard voice waveform. By increasing or shortening the voice waveform of the vowel part by the generation rate ratio, the generation rate is shortened or increased.

For example, when the generation speed is slowed down, the voice waveform of the vowel part is repeated. The standard waveform of FIG.
By repeating the voice waveform of the vowel part, FIG.
Get a slower waveform of. Further, when the generation speed is increased, the repeating portion of the voice waveform of the vowel portion is reduced.
The standard waveform of FIG. 3 (c) is thinned out from the voice waveform of the vowel part to obtain the accelerated waveform of FIG. 3 (d).

At this time, if the repeated portions of the waveform are simply cut and joined, a step is formed at the joint, so
A weight as shown by a dotted line in the figure, that is, a weight "1" is attached to the upper end and a weight "0" is attached to the lower end, for one repeating portion, and a repeated one repeated waveform is generated. By that,
The waveform does not have a step, and the generation speed can be increased or decreased.

The voice pitch frequency control section 23 partially changes the voice pitch frequency according to the voice pitch frequency control parameter instructed by the sensitivity output control section 25 to change the voice waveform. That is, if the voice pitch frequency is changed uniformly with respect to the entire input voice waveform, the voice becomes unnatural. By appropriately changing the voice pitch frequency at each time during the generation period, it is possible to generate a natural voice that expresses the sensitivity.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 3 (e) and 3 (f), an ordinary voice "urusai" voice and a yelling "loud" voice, as shown in FIG. The screaming voice has a higher voice frequency, and the normal voice frequency distribution is different.
In the yelling way of speaking, the frequency is high from the beginning of speaking until about 2/3, but after that, it becomes as low as the ordinary way of speaking.

More specifically, the voice pitch frequency shown in FIG. 4A has the phrase component shown in FIG.
It is composed of the accent component shown in FIG. The phrase component is generated by the impulse function of the phrase command,
A method is generally used in which the accent component is generated by a step function of the accent command, such as the first accent command and the second accent command, to generate the voice pitch frequency. This method is known as "Fujisaki model" and is publicly known.

Also in this embodiment, the "Fujisaki model" is used to calculate the voice pitch frequency at each time during the occurrence time by the following formula for calculating the voice pitch frequency.

[0046]

(Equation 1) However, 1n: Natural logarithm F0: Basic frequency generated Fmin: Lowest frequency t: Time Apii: Size of i-th phrase command Aajj: Size of j-th accent command T0i: Occurrence time of i-th phrase command T1j: rising time of jth accent command T2j: falling time of jth accent command I: number of phrase commands j: number of accent commands Gp: impulse response function of phrase control mechanism Ga: step response of accent control mechanism Function Gp (t) = α ² · t · exp (−αt) Ga (t) = Min {1- (1 + βt) · exp (−βt),
θ} α: Time constant β: Time constant expp: Exponential function Min: Function that selects the smaller numerical value θ: Time constant.

Further, the sensitivity output control section 25 determines parameters for controlling the speed of generation and the voice pitch frequency according to the sensitivity information such as the guidance level, the attention level, and the warning level, and controls the respective control parameters for the speed of generation. Part 22,
It outputs to the voice pitch frequency control unit 23 and the volume control unit 24.

Here, the control parameters generated by the sensitivity output control section 25 will be described.

[1] Generation speed control parameter Speed ratio to generation speed of standard voice waveform <Type> Guidance level: 100% (no change) Caution level: 110% (slightly quick) Warning level: 130% (fast) [2 ] Voice pitch frequency control parameter A control parameter group for obtaining an appropriate voice pitch frequency for each time timing during the occurrence time according to the sensitivity information.

<Type>

[0051]

[Table 1]

[0052]

[Table 2]

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a main program control in which the voice output device according to the embodiment of the present invention is used for a car navigation device, and FIG. 6 is used for the car navigation device. 6 is a flowchart of a voice synthesis routine performed. Note that this program is executed by the calculating means 3.

First, initial setting is performed in step S1, a destination route is selected by manual input or automatic input in step S2, and step S3 is performed.
Register a specific selected destination route with. In step S4, the positioning detection means is used to set G at predetermined time intervals.
PS measurement is performed, and the current position is calculated in step S5.
In step S6, a map of a predetermined area is selected from the map data means 10 corresponding to the current position information, and in step S7, the map and the current position of the predetermined area selected from the map data means 10 are subjected to map matching and the display means 4 is displayed. Display with. In step S8, it is determined whether it is within 500 m before the intersection on the destination route selected in advance, and when within 500 m before the intersection on the destination route, step S9
The voice synthesis routine is called in step S10.
100m from the selected destination route by determining whether or not you have departed from the destination route that was previously selected by 100m or more.
If the vehicle is separated as described above, the voice synthesis routine is called in step S11.

When the destination route should be re-registered in step S12 and the destination route registration is canceled by the operating means 5, the routine processing from step S2 is started, and the destination is operated by the operating means 5 in step S12. When the route registration is not canceled, the routine from step S4 is repeatedly executed.

Next, step S9 or step S11
The voice synthesis routine of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a car navigation system using a voice output device according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein (a) voice waveform and (b) time-frequency characteristic according to guide level parameters,
FIG. 8 is a car navigation device using the audio output device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) a voice waveform and (b) a time-frequency characteristic according to the attention level parameter, and FIG. 9 is a voice according to the embodiment of the present invention. (A) voice waveform and (b) time-frequency characteristic according to a warning level parameter in a car navigation device using an output device.

First, in step S21, the standard voice waveform generator 21 generates a standard voice waveform (ordinary speaking method) for the voice code instructed.

At this time, 50 before the intersection of the selected route
The selected voice code to be synthesized is different depending on the condition that it is within 0 m or departs from the selected route by 100 m or more. For example, 5 before the intersection of the selected route
When it is less than 00m, depending on the distance, "500m
A standard voice waveform is generated from the voice code "Turn left at the intersection ahead", "Turn left at the intersection 300m ahead", and "Turn left at the intersection 100m ahead". Also, when leaving the selected route for more than 100m, depending on the distance, "I am away from the planned route of 100m", "I am away from the planned route of 500m", "I am away from the planned route of 1km". A standard voice waveform is generated from the voice code of.

The generation speed control parameter, the voice pitch frequency control parameter, and the volume control parameter corresponding to the sensitivity information such as the guide level, the attention level, and the warning level instructed from the sensitivity output control unit 25 in step S22 are respectively controlled. It is output to the unit 22, the voice pitch frequency control unit 23, and the volume control unit 24.

First, in step S23, the generation speed control unit 2
The standard voice waveform is changed in accordance with the generation speed control parameter instructed in 2, and output to the voice pitch frequency control unit 23. Then, in step S24, the voice pitch frequency control unit 23 changes the voice waveform (waveform after the generation speed is changed) according to the voice pitch frequency control parameter instructed by the sensitivity output control unit 25 to change the volume control unit 24.
Output to Further, in step S25, the volume control unit 24 changes the voice waveform (the waveform after the voice pitch frequency is changed) according to the volume level instructed by the sensitivity output control unit 25, and outputs it to the voice information output unit 9 as a voice output. . In step S26, the voice information output means 9 outputs the voice waveform (waveform after volume change) from the speaker.

For example, at the guidance level, the standard voice waveform is output as it is. In addition, at the attention level, the tone of caution is somewhat quick. Then, at the warning level, the driver is scolded.

"Please turn left at the intersection 500 m ahead" is a guide level, "Please turn left at the intersection 300 m ahead" is a caution level, and "Please turn left at the intersection 100 m ahead" is a warning level To generate an audio signal. However, when the course change is confirmed by the output of the detection means 11 and when the vehicle speed is reduced below a predetermined vehicle speed, the guidance level voice output is performed without using the caution level and the warning level.

[0064] Also, when leaving the selected route, depending on the distance, "I am away from the planned route of 100 m" is a guide level, "I am away from the planned route of 500 m" is a caution level, and "1 km". Away from the planned route '' produces an audio signal with alert level sensitivity information added.

Incidentally, the standard voice waveform characteristic of "turn to the right (miginimagarimasu)" depending on the guidance level is shown in the voice waveform (a) and time-frequency characteristic (b) of FIG. Depending on the attention level, "turn to the right (mi
The voice waveform characteristics of "Ginimagarimasu)" are shown in the voice waveform (a) and time-frequency characteristic (b) of FIG.
It can be seen that at the attention level, it becomes faster as a whole and the frequency is higher. That is, at the attention level, the voice speed is made slightly higher, and the voice pitch frequency is made slightly higher. Depending on the warning level, "turn right (migimim
agarimasu) "is shown in the voice waveform (a) and the time-frequency characteristic (b) of FIG. It can be seen that, as a whole, it is as fast as the attention level, and the frequency is high in the initial stage and low in the latter half. That is, at the warning level, the voice speed is made very high, and in part the voice pitch frequency is made very high.

By the way, although not particularly described in the present embodiment, in the car navigation system for carrying out the present invention, even if the same voice code is used to guide the turn of the road, the distance from the turn is Depending on the speed, the steering wheel condition, the turn indicator, and the driving condition, it is possible to generate a sound corresponding to the guidance level, the caution level, and the warning level.

When a vehicle approaches an intersection or a corner, a flat guide tone (guidance level) is generated.
If you do not decelerate at all in the deceleration start section for safe driving at a corner or if you do not issue a turn signal in the section that requires you to turn on the turn signal, you need to be careful (attention level). Generate sound. Then, in a deceleration section for safe traveling at an intersection or a corner, if deceleration is not sufficient, a warning (warning level) is generated.

The sensitivity information switching means 8 of this embodiment is
In addition to the volume, the voice speed and the voice pitch frequency are changed. According to the experiments by the present inventors, when the present invention is carried out, the voice speed or the voice pitch frequency other than the volume is determined. It was confirmed that even if only one of them was changed, it was possible to express emotions similar to human characteristics. As a matter of course, if the voice speed and the voice pitch frequency are changed in addition to the volume as in the present embodiment, the emotional expression most similar to the characteristic of a person can be more realistically performed. /
Alternatively, emotional expressions similar to the characteristics of a person can be expressed by the voice pitch frequency.

In this embodiment, three levels of emotional expression, that is, a guide level, a caution level, and a warning level, are used. However, in the case of implementing the present invention, the emotional expression can be performed in multiple stages. That is, it suffices to be able to express an arbitrary plurality of kansei according to the use.

As described above, in the above embodiment, the audio signal output means 7 for outputting the predetermined audio code from the audio source.
And a sensitivity information switching means 8 for changing the sensitivity information of the audio code output from the audio signal output means 7, and an audio information output means 9 for outputting audio information associated with the sensitivity information changed by the sensitivity information switching means 8. And is provided, which can be an embodiment of claim 1.

Therefore, it is possible to change the emotion information of the voice code output from the voice signal output means 7 which outputs a predetermined voice code, and output the voice information associated with the changed emotion information. The voice guide having a single characteristic output from the output means 7 can be output not by a monotone expression but by a human. Therefore, it is possible to deal with the situation in a human-like manner, and the dialogue becomes natural, rather than simply dealing with it as a man-machine interface.

In the above embodiment, the voice signal output means 7 for outputting a predetermined voice code from the voice source and the sensitivity information for changing the sensitivity information of the output from the sound signal output means 7 according to the input from the detection means 11. It is provided with a switching means 8 and a voice information output means 9 for outputting voice information associated with the sensitivity information changed by the sensitivity information switching means 8. This may be the embodiment of claim 2. it can. In particular, in the above embodiment, the input is from the detection means 11 including a vehicle sensor or the like, but when it is used in a control system, it may be input as a switch and corresponding to those switches. Sensitivity information can be added.

Therefore, it is possible to change the sensitivity information of the audio code output from the audio signal output means 7 for outputting a predetermined audio code, and output the audio information associated with the sensitivity information changed according to the input. The voice guide having a single characteristic output from the voice signal output means 7 is not monotonically expressed but can be input to obtain a desired human voice output.

In the above embodiment, the sensitivity information switching means 8 which changes in accordance with the input changes the sensitivity information in a predetermined pattern corresponding to the distance to the intersection. can do. Therefore, the sensitivity expression can be changed by associating a predetermined characteristic of the voice guide having a single characteristic with a sensitivity corresponding to a predetermined change over time such as a change in distance or the number of operations.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the input of the sensitivity information switching means 8 is the sensor input from the detecting means 11 including the sensor of the vehicle, which can be the embodiment of claim 4. . Therefore, the sensibility expression of the voice guide having a single characteristic can be changed by the output of the predetermined sensor. Therefore, the kansei expression corresponding to the type of sensor can be used as the voice output in which the sensibility is added to the simple voice output.

In the above embodiment, the input of the sensitivity information switching means 8 is the detection means 11 including a sensor or the like, but in the case of practicing the present invention, it can be replaced with a switch. . As described above, the switch input can be used as the embodiment of claim 5. Therefore, the emotional expression of the voice guide having a single characteristic can be changed by the outputs of the predetermined plurality of switches.

In the above embodiment, the sensitivity information switching means 8 which changes in accordance with the input uses the input as the road information and the current position information of the destination route of the car navigation system,
Sensitivity information associated with the distance to the road of the destination route is added as the distance from the road of the destination route increases, which can be the embodiment of claim 6. Therefore, it is possible to change the kansei information of the audio code output from the audio signal output means 7 that outputs a predetermined audio code, and output the audio information associated with the changed kansei information. The voice guide with a single characteristic output from 7 is not a monotone expression,
The desired human voice output is obtained by the input,
Even if the driver departs from traveling on a predetermined destination route, he / she will not miss the voice guide.

In the above embodiment, the sensitivity information switching means 8 which changes according to the input uses the input information of the right turn left turn target position and the current position information of the car navigation device, and outputs the voice information of the course change as the right turn left turn target position is approached. Sensitivity information associated with the distance from the right turn left turn target position is added, and this can be the embodiment of claim 7. Therefore, it is possible to change the kansei information of the audio code output from the audio signal output means 7 that outputs a predetermined audio code, and output the audio information associated with the changed kansei information. The voice guide with a single characteristic output from 7 is not expressed in a monotone, but a desired human voice output is obtained by input, and the voice guide is not missed. Therefore, the driver does not miss the lane in front of a predetermined intersection. You can make changes.

In the above embodiment, the sensitivity information switching means 8 changes at least one of the voice speed and the voice pitch frequency in addition to the volume. This is the embodiment of claim 8. be able to. Therefore, a desired human voice output can be obtained, and the voice guide will not be missed.

Although the car navigation device has been described in the above embodiment, when the present invention is carried out, it is possible to correspond to a voice guide for instructing the operation of the vending machine and a thank-you greeting for the purchase amount. . Also,
In the answering machine, when the number of telephones is large during the absence, it is possible to deal with the meaning of the apology by the sensitivity information.

[0081]

As described above, the voice output device according to the first aspect of the invention includes the sensitivity information switching means for changing the sensitivity information of the voice code output from the voice signal output means for outputting a predetermined voice code from the voice source. A voice information output unit that outputs voice information associated with the sensitivity information changed by the sensitivity information switching unit,
It is possible to change the emotion information of the voice code output from the voice signal output means for outputting a predetermined voice code, and output the voice information associated with the changed emotion information.
The voice guide having a single characteristic output from the voice signal output means can be expressed by human voice output instead of monotone expression.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the voice output device, wherein the sensitivity information switching means changes the sensitivity information output from the audio signal output means for outputting a predetermined audio code from the audio source according to the input, and the sensitivity information switching means. Since the voice information output means for outputting the voice information associated with the changed emotion information is provided, the emotion information of the voice code output from the voice signal output means for outputting a predetermined voice code is changed. , The voice information associated with the changed sensitivity information can be output, and the voice guide having a single characteristic output from the voice signal output means is not a monotone expression but an arbitrary human-like voice output expression by input. You can

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the voice output device according to the third aspect is characterized in that the sensitivity information switching means that changes the sensitivity information according to the input changes the sensitivity information in a predetermined pattern according to the input. In addition to the effect, it is possible to change the kansei expression according to a pattern in which a voice guide having a single characteristic is associated with a predetermined number of times, a type of sensor, and the like.

In the voice output device according to the fourth aspect, since the input of the sensitivity information switching means is a sensor input,
In addition to the effect according to any one of claims 1 to 3, it is possible to change the emotional expression of a voice guide having a single characteristic by the output of a predetermined sensor.

In the voice output device of the fifth aspect, since the input of the sensitivity information switching means is a switch input, in addition to the effect of the fifth aspect, a voice guide having a single characteristic is predetermined. Sensitivity can be changed by the output of a plurality of switches.

In the audio output device according to the sixth aspect, the sensitivity information switching means for changing according to the input uses the input as road information and current position information of the destination route of the car navigation device, and separates from the road of the destination route. According to the above, since the sensitivity information associated with the distance to the road of the destination route is added, in addition to the effect according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the audio signal output means. The voice guide having a single characteristic can be output by changing the sensitivity information of the voice code output from the vehicle and outputting the voice information associated with the changed sensitivity information. It is not a monotone expression, but a desired human voice output is obtained by input, and even if the driver departs from traveling the predetermined destination route, the sound is output. I never miss listening to the guide.

In the voice output device according to the present invention, the sensitivity information switching means for changing in accordance with the input uses the input as the right turn left turn target position information and the current position information of the car navigation device, and the path is approached as the right turn left turn target position is approached. The sensitivity information associated with the distance to the right-turn left-turn target position is added to the changed voice information.
In addition to the effect according to any one of claims 6 to 6, voice information associated with the changed emotion information is obtained by changing the emotion information of the voice code output from the voice signal output unit that outputs a predetermined voice code. Information can be output, and a voice guide having a single characteristic output from the voice signal output means by input is not a monotone expression, but a desired human voice output can be obtained by input, and the voice guide can be missed. Since there is no vehicle, the driver can change lanes before a predetermined intersection.

In the voice output device according to the present invention, the sensitivity information switching means changes any one or more of the voice speed and the voice pitch frequency in addition to the volume.
In addition to the effect according to any one of claims 7 to 7, a desired human voice output is obtained, and the voice guide is not missed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall block diagram in which a voice output device according to an embodiment of the present invention is used in a car navigation device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of sensitivity information switching means using a voice output device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a car navigation device.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of a generation speed control unit of the audio output device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a voice pitch frequency in a generation speed control unit of the voice output device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of main program control using the audio output device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a car navigation device.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a voice synthesis routine using the voice output device according to the embodiment of the present invention in a car navigation device.

FIG. 7 shows (a) a voice waveform and (b) a time-frequency characteristic according to a guide level parameter in a car navigation device using a voice output device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows (a) a voice waveform and (b) a time-frequency characteristic according to a parameter of a caution level in a car navigation device using a voice output device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows (a) a voice waveform and (b) a time-frequency characteristic according to a warning level parameter in a car navigation device using a voice output device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 GPS receiver 3 Calculation means 4 Display means 6 Storage means 7 Voice signal output means 8 Sensitivity information switching means 9 Voice information output means 10 Map data means 11 Detecting means 12 Positioning satellite 21 Standard voice waveform generating section 22 Generation speed control Part 23 Voice pitch frequency control part 24 Volume control part 25 Kansei output control part

Front Page Continuation (72) Inventor Masanori Miyatake 2-5-5 Keihan Hondori, Moriguchi City, Osaka Prefecture Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Keimi Okura 2-5-5 Keihan Hondori, Moriguchi City, Osaka Prefecture Sanyo Denki Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hirokazu Mineno 2-5-5 Keihan Hondori, Moriguchi City, Osaka Prefecture Sanyo Denki Co., Ltd. (72) Tetsuya Kimura 2-chome, Keihan Hondori, Moriguchi City, Osaka Prefecture 5-5 Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masaaki Hira 2-5-5 Keihan Hondori, Moriguchi City, Osaka Prefecture Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kozo Okuda Keihan Hondori, Moriguchi City, Osaka Prefecture 2-5-5 Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Nobutoshi Oki 2-5-5 Keihan Hondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A voice signal output means for outputting a predetermined voice code from a voice source, a kansei information switching means for changing kansei information of a voice code output from the voice signal output means, and a kansei information switching means for changing the kansei information. And a voice information output unit that outputs voice information associated with the sensitivity information. 2. A voice signal output means for outputting a predetermined voice code from a voice source, a kansei information switching means for changing kansei information of the output from the voice signal output means according to an input, and the kansei information switching means. An audio output device, comprising: audio information output means for outputting audio information associated with the changed kansei information. 3. The sensitivity information switching means that changes the sensitivity information according to the input changes the sensitivity information in a predetermined pattern according to the input.
The audio output device according to. 4. The audio output device according to claim 1, wherein the input of the sensitivity information switching unit is a plurality of sensor inputs. 5. The audio output device according to claim 1, wherein the input of the sensitivity information switching unit is a plurality of switch inputs. 6. The sensitivity information switching means for changing in accordance with the input uses the input as road information and a current position information of a destination route of a car navigation device, and the more the distance from the road of the destination route is, the more the route of the destination route is changed. The voice output device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein sensitivity information associated with the distance to the road is added. 7. The sensitivity information switching means for changing according to the input uses the input as the right turn left turn target position information and the current position information of the car navigation device, and as the right turn left turn target position is approached, the right turn is made to the direction change voice information. 7. The voice output device according to claim 1, wherein sensitivity information associated with the distance to the left turn target position is added. 8. The sensitivity information switching means, in addition to the volume,
8. The voice output device according to claim 1, wherein any one or more of a voice speed and a voice pitch frequency is changed.