WO2017212981A1 - Information processing device, information service method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

This information processing device is provided with: a first information acquisition unit which acquires a guidance character string in accordance with an instruction from a user; a second information acquisition unit which acquires a distributed character string that is partially different from the guidance character string; a distribution control unit which causes a transmission device to transmit distribution information indicating the distributed character string; a display device; and a display control unit which causes the display device to display the distributed character string.

Description

Information processing apparatus, information providing method, and program

The present invention relates to a technique for providing information to a user.

Various technologies for providing information such as images or sounds to terminal devices have been proposed. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique for distributing content corresponding to a position of a terminal device registered in advance as a distribution target.

JP 2002-351905 A

For example, in transportation such as trains or buses, guidance voices that guide users to information on getting on and off or transferring are reproduced as needed. If information such as the character strings of the pronunciation content of the guidance voice or translated sentences can be reproduced on the terminal device of each user together with the sound of the guidance voice, for example, the hearing-impaired person who is difficult to hear the guidance voice, or the language of the guidance voice Convenient for foreigners who have difficulty. However, various problems are assumed in an actual situation where various types of information are provided to a user terminal device. Specifically, it may not be appropriate to provide the user terminal device with information having the same content as the guidance voice. For example, providing information having the same content as the guidance voice including personal information such as the name of a lost child to each user's terminal device can be a problem from the viewpoint of protecting personal information. In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to solve a problem assumed in a situation where information is provided to a user.

In order to solve the above problems, an information processing apparatus according to a preferred aspect of the present invention includes a first information acquisition unit that acquires a first character string according to an instruction from a user, and a first character string. A second information acquisition unit that acquires a second character string that is partially different, a distribution control unit that causes the transmission device to transmit distribution information indicating the second character string, a display device, and a second character string in the display device A display control unit for displaying.

An information providing method according to another preferred aspect of the present invention is an information providing method in a computer system including a display device, and the information providing method acquires a first character string according to an instruction from a user. Then, a second character string that is partially different from the first character string is acquired, distribution information indicating the second character string is transmitted to the transmission device, and the second character string is displayed on the display device.
A program according to another preferred aspect of the present invention is partially different from a process of obtaining a first character string according to an instruction from a user in a computer system including a display device, and the first character string. A process for acquiring the second character string to be performed, a process for transmitting the distribution information indicating the second character string to the transmission apparatus, and a process for displaying the second character string on the display apparatus.

1 is a block diagram of an information providing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of an information processor. It is a schematic diagram of a guidance table. It is a schematic diagram of an operation screen. It is a schematic diagram of an operation screen. It is a schematic diagram of an operation screen. It is a flowchart of operation | movement of information processing apparatus. It is a block diagram of a terminal device. It is a block diagram of the information processing apparatus in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart of operation | movement of the 2nd information acquisition part in 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the information processor in a modification. It is a schematic diagram of the operation screen in a modification. It is explanatory drawing which illustrates the relationship between a registration character string and an insertion phrase.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an information providing system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. An information providing system 10 according to the first embodiment is a computer system for providing information to a user HA of a transportation facility such as a train or a bus, and includes an information processing device 12 and a sound emitting device 14. The sound emitting device 14 is an acoustic system that is installed in a facility of a transportation facility (for example, in a station premises or a train) and emits a sound V (hereinafter referred to as “guidance sound”) V for guidance related to the transportation facility. Various voices related to transportation include voices that notify arrival or departure of trains or buses, voices that guide you to transfer to a stop or other route, voices that alert you to getting on and off, voices that inform you of lost children, Or the audio | voice etc. which alert | report the occurrence of an emergency are illustrated. These various voices are emitted from the sound emission device 14 as the guidance voice V.

The transportation user HA carries the terminal device 20. The terminal device 20 is a portable information terminal such as a mobile phone or a smartphone. In practice, a large number of users HA can use the service of the information providing system 10, but in the following description, attention is paid to one terminal device 20 for convenience. The information processing apparatus 12 of the information providing system 10 in FIG. 1 is an information terminal possessed and used by, for example, an employee (hereinafter referred to as “user of (information processing apparatus)”) HB who manages or operates a transportation facility. Specifically, various information terminals such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal can be used as the information processing apparatus 12. The information processing device 12 is connected to the sound emitting device 14 by wire or wirelessly. Note that the information processing device 12 and the sound emitting device 14 may be configured integrally.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the information providing system 10. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus 12 according to the first embodiment includes a control device 32, a storage device 34, a display device 36, and an operation device 38. The control device 32 is a processing circuit that controls the overall operation of the information processing device 12, and includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The display device 36 is composed of a liquid crystal display panel, for example, and displays various images under the control of the control device 32. The operation device 38 is an input device that receives an instruction from the user HB of the information processing device. For example, a plurality of operators operated by the user HB or a touch panel that detects contact with the display surface of the display device 36 is preferably used as the operation device 38. The storage device 34 stores a program executed by the control device 32 and various data used by the control device 32. For example, a known recording medium such as a magnetic recording medium or a semiconductor recording medium, or a combination of a plurality of types of recording media is arbitrarily employed as the storage device 34.

The storage device 34 of the first embodiment stores the guide table TA of FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 3, a plurality of registered character strings R (R1, R2,...) Corresponding to different contents of the guidance voice V are registered in the guidance table TA. As illustrated in FIG. 3, among the plurality of registered character strings R of the guide table TA, there is a registered character string R including one or more insertion sections. In FIG. 3, the insertion section is represented by square brackets []. Various words (hereinafter referred to as “insert phrases”) are inserted into the insertion section. By inserting a variable insertion phrase in the insertion section of the registered character string R, a character string (hereinafter referred to as “guide character string”) X representing the pronunciation content of the guidance voice V is generated. For example, FIG. 3 shows a registered character string R1 (ie, “We have found a lost child [Age] [Outfit], [Name]. If you are looking for this child, please come to the customer service desk.) A character string for notifying a lost child in a transportation facility is shown as an example. By inserting an appropriate insertion phrase into each insertion section of the registered character string R1, “We have found a lost child [of 4 years old] [in red clothes], [named Yuuki Suzuki]. If you are looking for this A guide character string X of “child,“ please ”,“ come ”,“ the customer, ”“ service, ”“ desk. As understood from the above description, the registered character string R is a fixed character string (typically a sentence) that is common to a plurality of guide character strings X having different insertion phrases. The insertion phrase is a character string that is selected for each guidance voice V and inserted into the insertion section of the registered character string R. In addition to the registered character string R including one or more insertion sections as exemplified above, a registered character string R that does not include an insertion section can also be registered in the guidance table TA.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, in the guidance table TA, a plurality of distribution character strings Y (Y1, Y2,...) Corresponding to different registered character strings R are identified by the identification information DY (DY1) of each distribution character string Y. , DY2, ...). Any one delivery character string Y is a character string that is similar in content (meaning) itself to the guide character string X but partially different from the guide character string X. In the first embodiment, a character string in which the insertion phrase is deleted from the guide character string X (however, the deleted character string may include necessary grammatical changes) is registered in the guide table TA as the distribution character string Y. Is done. Specifically, the distribution character string Y is a character string obtained by deleting a highly confidential part (particularly a name or the like) related to an individual from the guide character string X. For example, "We 案 内 have found a lost child [of 4 years old] [in red clothes], [named Yuuki Suzuki]. If you are looking for this child, please come to the customer service desk." In X, the distribution string Y1 “We have found a lost child. If you are looking for a child, please come to the customer service」 desk. ”, Which is deleted from X, is stored in the storage device 34. Is remembered.

The control device 32 in FIG. 2 executes a program stored in the storage device 34 to thereby execute a plurality of functions (a first information acquisition unit 42, a second information acquisition unit 44, a display control unit 46, a voice synthesis unit 52, and The distribution control unit 54) is realized. A configuration in which a part of the function of the control device 32 is realized by a dedicated electronic circuit, or a configuration in which the function of the control device 32 is distributed to a plurality of devices may be employed.

The first information acquisition unit 42 acquires a guide character string X (an example of the first character string) according to an instruction from the user HB. The user HB appropriately operates the operation device 38 to insert a desired one registered character string R among the plurality of registered character strings R registered in the guidance table TA and each of the registered character strings R. It is possible to arbitrarily specify an insertion phrase to be inserted into the section. The 1st information acquisition part 42 inserts the insertion phrase instruct | indicated from the user HB into each insertion area of the registration character string R instruct | indicated from the user HB, and the guide character showing the pronunciation content of the guidance voice V is inserted. Generate column X.

The second information acquisition unit 44 acquires a distribution character string Y (an example of the second character string) that is partially different from the guide character string X acquired by the first information acquisition unit 42. Specifically, the second information acquisition unit 44 distributes corresponding to the registered character string R constituting the guide character string X designated by the user HB among the plurality of distribution character strings Y registered in the guide table TA. The character string Y is acquired from the guidance table TA. That is, a character string obtained by deleting the insertion phrase from the guide character string X is acquired as the distribution character string Y. The second information acquisition unit 44 can be rephrased as an element that corrects or converts the guide character string X into the distribution character string Y. In addition to the configuration in which the distribution character string Y is acquired from the guidance table TA, the second information acquisition unit 44 distributes by editing the guide character string X acquired by the first information acquisition unit 42 (for example, deleting the inserted phrase). A configuration for generating the character string Y can also be adopted.

The display control unit 46 displays an image on the display device 36. The display control unit 46 of the first embodiment displays, for example, the operation screen GA of FIG. 4 and the operation screen GB of FIG. The operation screen GA and the operation screen GB are images for receiving instructions from the user HB. As illustrated in FIG. 4, a plurality of options 362 relating to the content of the guidance voice V are displayed on the operation screen GA. Specifically, options 362 are displayed on the operation screen GA for each of the plurality of registered character strings R registered in the guidance table TA. The user HB can select an arbitrary option 362 by appropriately operating the operation device 38. A guide character string X including a registered character string R corresponding to the option 362 selected by the user HB on the operation screen GA is acquired by the first information acquisition unit 42.

The operation screen GB is an image for the user HB to instruct or confirm the contents of the guide character string X and the distribution character string Y, and is displayed on the display device 36 after selection of the option 362 on the operation screen GA. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the operation screen GB includes an instruction area A1, a confirmation area A2, and a reproduction indicator A3. The reproduction indicator A3 is an image (command button) for the user HB to instruct reproduction of the guidance voice V.

The instruction area A1 is an area for the user HB to indicate an insertion phrase to be inserted in each insertion section of the registered character string R. Specifically, an input field 364 is arranged in the instruction area A1 for each insertion section of the registered character string R corresponding to the option 362 selected by the user HB on the operation screen GA. Since the number or content (item name) of the insertion section is different for each registered character string R, the number or content (item name) of the input field 364 arranged in the instruction area A1 of the operation screen GB is the operation screen GA. It can be different depending on the registered character string R selected in.

The user HB can input an insertion phrase to be inserted into each insertion section of the registered character string R for each input field 364 by appropriately operating the operation device 38. Specifically, the user HB can input an insertion phrase in each instruction column 364 by either selection from a plurality of options 366 prepared in advance or direct character input. For example, assuming a registered string R1 “We have found a lost child [Age] [Outfit], [Name]. If you are looking for this child, please come to the customer service desk. For the insertion section of “Age”, an insertion phrase is selected from a plurality of options 366, and for the insertion section of “Name”, the insertion phrase is arbitrarily designated by character input. The first information acquisition unit 42 in FIG. 2 inserts the insertion phrase input in each input field 364 on the operation screen GB into each insertion section of the registered character string R instructed on the operation screen GA, thereby providing guidance. A guide character string X representing the pronunciation content of the voice V is generated. That is, the first information acquisition unit 42 of the first embodiment includes an insertion phrase selected by the user HB from a plurality of candidates for each of a plurality of items (insertion sections) in response to an instruction (input or selection) on the operation screen GB. The guide character string X is acquired. As understood from the above, “input” in the input field 364 includes selection from a plurality of options 366 in addition to character input.

In addition, among the plurality of registered character strings R, there is a registered character string R that does not include the insertion section. When a registered character string R that does not include an insertion section is selected on the operation screen GA, it is determined that the registered character string R does not include an insertion phrase (that is, a variable element) as illustrated in FIG. A message to notify the user HB is displayed in the indication area A1. That is, the instruction column 364 is not displayed in the instruction area A1. Alternatively, when the standard registered character string R is selected, the indication area A1 can be left blank (a message indicating that the standard is not displayed).

In the confirmation area A2 in FIG. 5, a guide character string X and a delivery character string Y are displayed. That is, the display control unit 46 of the first embodiment causes the display device 36 to display the guide character string X acquired by the first information acquisition unit 42 and the distribution character string Y acquired by the second information acquisition unit 44. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 5, "We have found a lost child [of 4 years old] [in red clothes], [named Yuuki Suzuki]. If you are looking for this child, please come to the customer service desk. ”and“ We have found a lost child. If you are looking for a child, please come to the customer service desk. ” The distribution character string Y is displayed side by side on the display device 36 (positionally). Therefore, the user HB can check the guide character string X instructed by the user HB and the distribution character string Y obtained by partially changing the guide character string X while comparing them with each other.

2 generates the acoustic signal SV by speech synthesis using the guide character string X acquired by the first information acquisition unit 42. The acoustic signal SV is a time signal that represents the waveform of the voice (ie, the guidance voice V) that is generated by the guidance character string X. A known speech synthesis technique can be arbitrarily employed to generate the acoustic signal SV. Note that it is also possible to cause the speech synthesis server with which the information processing apparatus 12 can communicate to generate the acoustic signal SV (speech synthesis). Specifically, the first information acquisition unit 42 transmits the guidance character string X to the speech synthesis server, receives the acoustic signal SV generated by speech synthesis by the speech synthesis server from the speech synthesis server, and outputs the sound output device 14. To supply. In this case, the speech synthesizer 52 may be omitted.

The distribution control unit 54 generates distribution information Q indicating the distribution character string Y acquired by the second information acquisition unit 44. The distribution information Q of the first embodiment is identification information DY of the distribution character string Y. Specifically, the distribution control unit 54 acquires the identification information DY of the distribution character string Y acquired by the second information acquisition unit 44 as the distribution information Q from the guidance table TA. Moreover, the delivery control part 54 of 1st Embodiment produces | generates the acoustic signal SQ which contains the delivery information Q as an acoustic component. A known technique can be arbitrarily adopted to generate the acoustic signal SQ. For example, a configuration in which the acoustic signal SQ is generated by frequency-modulating a carrier wave such as a sine wave having a predetermined frequency with the distribution information Q is suitable. Alternatively, a configuration in which the acoustic signal SQ is generated by sequentially executing spread modulation of the distribution information Q using a spread code and frequency conversion using a carrier wave of a predetermined frequency is preferable. The frequency band of the acoustic signal SQ is a frequency band of sound in which the sound emitting device 14 emits sound and the terminal device 20 can collect sound. The frequency band is included in a frequency band (for example, 18 kHz or more and 20 kHz or less) that exceeds the frequency band of sound (for example, guidance voice V) or musical sound that the user HA of the terminal device 20 listens in a normal environment. Is done. However, the frequency band of the acoustic signal SQ is arbitrary. For example, the acoustic signal SQ within the audible band may be generated.

When the playback indicator A3 on the operation screen GB in FIG. 5 is operated by the user HB, the speech synthesizer 52 generates the acoustic signal SV, and the distribution controller 54 generates the acoustic signal SQ. That is, the acoustic signal SV and the acoustic signal SQ are supplied to the sound emitting device 14 in response to the operation of the reproduction indicator A3. The sound emitting device 14 emits the sound represented by the acoustic signal SV and the acoustic signal SQ. That is, the guidance voice V represented by the acoustic signal SV and the acoustic component represented by the acoustic signal SQ are emitted from the sound emitting device 14. As understood from the above description, the sound emitting device 14 of the first embodiment functions as a means (transmitting device) for transmitting the distribution information Q to the terminal device 20 by acoustic communication using sound waves as air vibration as a transmission medium. To do. That is, the delivery control unit 54 of the first embodiment causes the delivery information Q to be transmitted from the sound emitting device 14 by acoustic communication using the sound emitting device 14 that emits the guidance voice V as a transmitting device. In the above configuration, since the sound emitting device 14 that emits the guidance voice V is used for transmission of the distribution information Q, the distribution information Q is transmitted to the terminal device 20 by a wireless communication device that is separate from the sound emitting device 14. Compared to the configuration, there is an advantage that the configuration of the information providing system 10 can be simplified.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the control device 32 of the information processing device 12. For example, the processing in FIG. 7 is started in response to an instruction from the user HB to the operation device 38. When the process of FIG. 7 is started, the control device 32 (display control unit 46) displays the operation screen GA of FIG. 4 on the display device 36, and accepts the selection of the registered character string R by the user HB (SA1). When the registered character string R is selected, the control device 32 (display control unit 46) displays an initial operation screen GB on the display device 36 (SA2).

The control device 32 determines whether or not an instruction for an insertion phrase for any one of the instruction fields 364 on the operation screen GB has been received from the user HB (SA3). When the instruction of the insertion phrase is received (SA3: YES), the control device 32 (first information acquisition unit 42) displays the registered character string R selected on the operation screen GA and the insertion phrase specified by the user HB. A guide character string X including it is generated (SA4). Further, the control device 32 (second information acquisition unit 44) acquires a distribution character string Y that is partially different from the guide character string X (SA5). The control device 32 (display control unit 46) displays the guide character string X and the distribution character string Y on the display device 36 (SA6). When the insertion phrase is not specified (SA3: NO), the generation and display of the guide character string X and the distribution character string Y (SA4-SA6) are omitted.

The control device 32 determines whether or not an operation for the playback indicator A3 has been received from the user HB (SA7). When the reproduction indicator A3 is not operated (SA7: NO), the control device 32 shifts the process to step SA3, and updates the guide character string X and the distribution character string Y according to the instruction from the user HB (SA3-SA6). ) Is repeated. On the other hand, when the playback indicator A3 is operated (SA7: YES), the control device 32 (speech synthesizer 52) generates an acoustic signal SV from the guide character string X acquired by the first information acquisition unit 42 (SA8). ). Further, the control device 32 (distribution control unit 54) generates an acoustic signal SQ of the distribution information Q indicating the distribution character string Y acquired by the second information acquisition unit 44 (SA9). The control device 32 supplies the sound signal SV and the sound signal SQ to the sound emitting device 14 (SA10). Therefore, the guidance voice V that pronounces the guidance character string X is reproduced and the distribution information Q is transmitted by acoustic communication. The generation of the acoustic signal SV (SA8) and the generation of the acoustic signal SQ (SA9) can be reversed. Further, the temporal relationship between the reproduction of the guidance voice V and the transmission of the distribution information Q is arbitrary. For example, it is possible to repeatedly transmit the distribution information Q in parallel with the reproduction of the guidance voice V.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of the terminal device 20. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the terminal device 20 includes a sound collection device 62, a control device 64, a storage device 66, and a playback device 68. The sound collection device 62 is an acoustic device (microphone) that collects ambient sounds. The sound collection device 62 of the first embodiment collects the sound wave emitted from the sound emission device 14 of the information providing system 10 and generates the acoustic signal S. The acoustic signal S contains the acoustic component (acoustic signal SQ) of the distribution information Q. That is, the sound collection device 62 functions as a reception device that receives the distribution information Q by acoustic communication using sound waves that are air vibrations as a transmission medium. Note that an A / D converter that converts the acoustic signal S generated by the sound pickup device 62 from analog to digital is not shown for convenience.

The control device 64 is a processing circuit that controls the overall operation of the information processing device 12, and includes, for example, a CPU. The storage device 66 stores a program executed by the control device 64 and various data used by the control device 64. The storage device 66 of the first embodiment stores a guide table TB. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the guide table TB includes a plurality of distribution character strings Y (Y1, Y2,...) That can be specified by the distribution information Q, and identification information DY (DY1, DY2) of each distribution character string Y. , ……) and registered. That is, a plurality of distribution character strings Y (distribution character strings Y (Y1, Y2,...) Registered in the guide table TA) that may be acquired by the second information acquisition unit 44 of the information processing apparatus 12 are stored in the storage device. 66.

The control device 64 in FIG. 8 executes a program stored in the storage device 66, thereby providing a plurality of functions (information extraction unit 642 and reproduction) for presenting the distribution character string Y indicated by the distribution information Q to the user HA. The control unit 644) is realized. A configuration in which a part of the function of the control device 64 is realized by a dedicated electronic circuit, or a configuration in which the function of the control device 64 is distributed to a plurality of devices may be employed.

The information extraction unit 642 extracts the distribution information Q from the acoustic signal S supplied from the sound collection device 62. Specifically, the information extraction unit 642 performs filtering processing for emphasizing the band component of the frequency band including the acoustic component of the distribution information Q and demodulation processing corresponding to the modulation processing in the distribution control unit 54 for the acoustic signal S. And the distribution information Q is extracted. The reproduction control unit 644 causes the reproduction device 68 to reproduce the distribution character string Y corresponding to the identification information DY indicated by the distribution information Q extracted by the information extraction unit 642. The reproduction device 68 reproduces the distribution character string Y designated by the reproduction control unit 644 and presents it to the user HA. The playback device 68 of the first embodiment is a display device (for example, a liquid crystal display panel) that displays the distribution character string Y.

As understood from the above description, the guide voice V of the guide character string X corresponding to the instruction from the user HB is emitted from the sound emitting device 14, while the distribution is partially different from the guide character string X. The character string Y is reproduced by the reproduction device 68 of the terminal device 20. Specifically, "We have found a lost child [of 4 years old] [in red clothes], [named Yuuki Suzuki]. If you are looking for this child, please come to the customer service desk." When V is reproduced from the sound emitting device 14, the “We have found a lost child. If you are looking for a child, please come to the" is deleted from the guidance character string X. The distribution character string Y “customer service desk” is displayed on the terminal device 20.

As described above, the personal information can be protected by reproducing the distribution character string Y partially different from the guide character string X on the terminal device 20. On the other hand, the user HB is concerned whether or not an appropriate distribution character string Y corresponding to the guidance character string X instructed by the user HB is actually reproduced on the terminal device 20. In the first embodiment, the distribution character string Y reproduced on the terminal device 20 is displayed on the display device 36 of the information processing apparatus 12, and therefore the distribution character string Y actually reproduced on the terminal device 20 is displayed on the user. There is an advantage that HB can be confirmed. In particular, in the first embodiment, the guide character string X and the distribution character string Y are displayed side by side, so that the user HB is instructed by the user HB (guidance character string X) and the content reproduced by the terminal device 20 ( There is an advantage that a relationship (for example, a difference or a match) between the two can be confirmed while comparing the distribution character string Y) with each other.

Second Embodiment
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the element which an effect | action or function is the same as that of 1st Embodiment in each following illustration, the detailed description of each is abbreviate | omitted suitably using the code | symbol used by description of 1st Embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of the information providing system 10 in the second embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the information processing apparatus 12 of the second embodiment includes a sound collection device 16 in addition to the same elements as those of the first embodiment. The sound collection device 16 is an acoustic device (microphone) that collects ambient sounds. The user HB sounds the guidance voice V to the sound collection device 16. Specifically, the user HB pronounces the guidance voice V having contents including any of a plurality of registered character strings R registered in advance in the storage device 34. The sound collection device 16 collects the guidance voice V generated by the user HB and generates an acoustic signal SV representing the guidance voice V. As illustrated in FIG. 9, in the second embodiment, the speech synthesizer 52 of the first embodiment is omitted, and the sound signal SV generated by the sound collection device 16 is supplied to the sound emission device 14. The A / D converter for converting the acoustic signal SV generated by the sound collection device 16 from analog to digital is not shown for convenience.

The first information acquisition unit 42 in FIG. 9 specifies the guide character string X by voice recognition with respect to the acoustic signal SV. The guide character string X is a character string representing the content of the guide voice V pronounced by the user HB. For voice recognition of the acoustic signal SV, for example, a known technique such as a recognition process using an acoustic model such as HMM (Hidden Markov Model) and a language model indicating linguistic restrictions can be arbitrarily adopted. It is also possible to cause the voice recognition server with which the information processing apparatus 12 can communicate to execute voice recognition of the acoustic signal SV. For example, the first information acquisition unit 42 transmits the acoustic signal SV to the voice recognition server, and acquires the guide character string X specified by the voice recognition by the voice recognition server from the voice recognition server. That is, the first information acquisition unit 42 may itself generate the guide character string X, or may acquire the guide character string X generated by another device.

The second information acquisition unit 44 of the second embodiment acquires a distribution character string Y that is partially different from the guide character string X acquired by the first information acquisition unit 42. Specifically, the second information acquisition unit 44 searches for a registered character string R similar to the guide character string X among a plurality of registered character strings R registered in the guide table TA, and corresponds to the registered character string R. The distribution character string Y to be acquired is acquired from the guidance table TA.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of processing in which the second information acquisition unit 44 of the second embodiment acquires the distribution character string Y. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the second information acquisition unit 44 calculates an index of similarity (hereinafter referred to as “similarity index”) with the guide character string X for each of the plurality of registered character strings R (SB1). The type of the similarity index is arbitrary, but a known index such as an edit distance (Levenstein distance) for evaluating the similarity between two types of character strings is suitable as the similarity index. When the calculation of the similarity index is completed, the second information acquisition unit 44 searches the guidance table TA for one registered character string R having the maximum similarity indicated by the similarity index among the plurality of registered character strings R (SB2). ). That is, the registered character string R most similar to the guide character string X is searched from the guide table TA. And the 2nd information acquisition part 44 acquires the delivery character string Y corresponding to the registration character string R searched from the guidance table TA from the guidance table TA (SB3). As described above, in the second embodiment, the distribution character string Y corresponding to the registered character string R similar to the guide character string X is specified. Therefore, there is an advantage that an appropriate distribution character string Y can be selected even when the guidance character string X differs from the actual pronunciation content due to the influence of misrecognition in the voice recognition processing. The operation in which the display control unit 46 displays the guide character string X and the distribution character string Y on the display device 36 is the same as in the first embodiment.

The first information acquisition unit 42 in FIG. 9 supplies the sound signal SV generated by the sound collecting device 16 to the sound emitting device 14 in response to an operation on the reproduction indicator A3 on the operation screen GB. Further, the distribution control unit 54 generates an acoustic signal SQ of the distribution information Q indicating the identification information DY of the distribution character string Y, triggered by an operation on the reproduction indicator A3, and supplies it to the sound emitting device 14. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the guidance voice V of the guide character string X is reproduced from the sound emitting device 14, and the distribution information Q is transmitted by acoustic communication using the sound emitting device 14 as a transmitting device. In the second embodiment, the same effect as in the first embodiment is realized. In the second embodiment, there is an advantage that the user HB can instruct the guide character string X by sounding (speech input) to the sound collecting device 16.

In the above description, the result of speech recognition for the acoustic signal SV is used as the guide character string X. However, the registered character string R registered in the guide table TA can be used for obtaining the guide character string X. is there. For example, the first information acquisition unit 42 searches the guide table TA for a registered character string R that is most similar to the character string X0 (guide character string X in the above-described form) specified by voice recognition for the acoustic signal SV. Then, the first information acquisition unit 42 generates the guide character string X by inserting the insertion phrase included in the character string X0 into each insertion section of the registered character string R. Further, by registering a plurality of insertion phrase candidates in the guidance table TA in advance for each insertion section of the registered character string R, and comparing a portion corresponding to the insertion section of the character string X0 with each of the plurality of candidates. It is also possible to select a candidate most similar to the part as an insertion phrase.

<Modification>
Each aspect illustrated above can be variously modified. Specific modifications are exemplified below. Two or more modes arbitrarily selected from the following examples can be appropriately combined within a range that does not contradict each other.

(1) It is also possible to emit the guidance voice V expressing the same content as the guidance character string X in another language from the sound emitting device 14. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the machine translation unit 56 is added to the information processing apparatus 12 having the same configuration as that of the first embodiment. The machine translation unit 56 converts the guide character string X in the first language (for example, English) into the guide character string X in the second language (for example, Japanese). For machine translation of the guide character string X, a known technique can be arbitrarily adopted. The voice synthesizer 52 generates, by voice synthesis, an acoustic signal SV representing the guidance voice V corresponding to the first language guidance character string X and the translated guidance voice V corresponding to the second language guidance character string X. To do. By supplying the acoustic signal SV to the sound emitting device 14, the guidance voice V is emitted, for example, sequentially in both the first language and the second language.

It is also possible to selectively emit the guidance voice V in a plurality of languages from the sound emitting device 14. For example, the display control unit 46 displays the operation screen GB of FIG. The operation screen GB illustrated in FIG. 12 includes a language selection area A4 in addition to the same elements as in FIG. A plurality of language indicators 368 corresponding to different languages (Japanese, English, Chinese) are arranged in the language selection area A4. The language indicator 368 corresponding to any one type of language is an image for the user HB to set the language to either the valid state or the invalid state. The voice synthesizer 52 generates an acoustic signal SV of the guidance voice V for the language set to the valid state by the language indicator 368 and supplies it to the sound emitting device 14. The acoustic signal SV is not generated for the language set to the invalid state. Therefore, the guidance voice V in the valid language among the plurality of languages is emitted from the sound emitting device 14 together with the acoustic component of the distribution information Q.

In the confirmation area A2 of the operation screen GB, the guide character string X and the distribution character string Y are displayed for each language set to the valid state by the language indicator 368. FIG. 12 illustrates a case where the guide character string X and the distribution character string Y are displayed in the confirmation area A2 in both English and Japanese. According to the above configuration, the user HB can confirm the contents of the guidance voice V emitted in different languages in a plurality of languages.

(2) A known technique can be arbitrarily employed for synthesizing the guidance voice V by the voice synthesis unit 52. In addition, for example, it is possible to make the speech synthesis method different between the standard registered character string R in the guide character string X and each variable insertion phrase. As a speech synthesis method, for example, a recording / editing method using recording data obtained by recording a voice that pronounces a specific character string in advance, or a voice is synthesized by selectively combining speech units such as speech units. A rule composition method such as a unit connection method may be exemplified. For example, the speech synthesizer 52 generates a speech signal by the recording and editing method for the registered character string R whose pronunciation content is known, and generates a speech signal by the rule synthesis method for an insertion phrase whose pronunciation content is variable. The voice synthesizer 52 generates the acoustic signal SV of the guidance voice V by connecting a plurality of voice signals on the time axis. According to the above configuration, for the speech synthesis of the registered character string R, while using a pre-recorded sound to reduce the processing load, for the insertion phrase, the speech of various pronunciation contents is synthesized by the rule synthesis method. There is an advantage that you can.

For the default registered character string R, a voice signal is generated by a recording editing method using recorded data, while for a registered character string R and an insertion phrase added afterwards, a voice signal is generated by a rule synthesis method. It is also possible. Although it is assumed that the voice quality may be different between the default registered character string R and the new registered character string R, the synthesis parameters of the rule composition method applied to the new registered character string R (particularly contributing to the voice quality) By appropriately adjusting the variable), it is possible to bring the synthesized voice by the rule synthesis method closer to the voice quality of the recorded data.

(3) In each of the above-described embodiments, the guidance voice V for notifying a lost child on the premises of the transportation facility is assumed, but the pronunciation content of the guidance voice V is arbitrary. For example, as understood from the illustration of FIG. 4, it is also possible to emit the guidance voice V related to the operation status of the transportation facility from the sound emitting device 14.

As described above, the number or contents of the inserted sections are different for each registered character string R. Therefore, the number and contents (selection items) of the instruction field 364 arranged in the instruction area A1 of the operation screen GB, or the number and contents of the options 366 selectable in each instruction field 364 are different for each registered character string R. Can do. FIG. 13 shows options 362 that can be selected on the operation screen GA, the registered character string R corresponding to each option 362, and the instruction field 364 corresponding to each insertion section of the registered character string R regarding the operation status of the transportation facility. And combinations with options 366 that can be selected in the instruction field 364 are illustrated. Note that the registration character string R of “Accident prevention announcement” (accident prevention announcement) in FIG. 13 is a fixed phrase that does not include an insertion phrase, and therefore, as illustrated in FIG. A message notifying that the character string is R is displayed in the indication area A1.

For example, as understood from the example of FIG. 13, “Train service has been suspended [due to signal failure caused by a lightning strike]. [Service is expected to resume in approximately 10 minutes.] [Please wait until service resumes.] And a distribution character string Y “Train service has been suspended” excluding the insertion section are displayed in the confirmation area A2 of the display device 36.

(4) In each of the above-described embodiments, the distribution character string Y from which the insertion phrase of the guidance character string X is deleted (simplified) is illustrated, but the relationship between the guidance character string X and the distribution character string Y is illustrated above. It is not limited. For example, contrary to the above-described examples of each form, the second information acquisition unit 44 acquires the character string in which the insertion phrase is inserted into the registered character string R as the distribution character string Y, and deletes the insertion phrase from the distribution character string Y. It is also possible for the first information acquisition unit 42 to acquire the character string (for example, registered character string R) as the guide character string X. According to the above configuration, the distribution character string Y including the detailed information is provided to the terminal device 20, while the simplified guide character string X having the contents omitted from each information is reproduced as the guidance voice V. Therefore, there is an advantage that the distribution character string Y can be provided to the terminal device 20 while shortening the pronunciation time of the guidance voice V.

It is also possible to generate a character string obtained by inserting a plurality of insertion phrases into the registered character string R as a guide character string X and generate a character string obtained by deleting some of the plurality of insertion phrases as a distribution character string Y. It is. For example, “We have found a lost child [of 4 years old] [in red clothes], [named Yuuki Suzuki]. If you are looking for this The character string “child, please come to the customer service と desk.” is the guide character string X, and [WeNamehave found a lost child [of 4 years old] [in red] clothes]. と い う If you are looking for this child, please come to the customer service desk. " It is also possible to generate a character string in which a plurality of insertion phrases are inserted into the registered character string R as a distribution character string Y and to generate a character string in which a part of the plurality of insertion phrases is deleted as a guide character string X. It is.

As understood from the above examples, the distribution character string Y (example of the second character string) is comprehensively expressed as a character string partially different from the guide character string X (example of the first character string). The Specifically, one of the guide character string X and the distribution character string Y is a character string obtained by partially deleting the other, or a character string obtained by adding a specific phrase to the other.

In the configuration in which the distribution character string Y includes an insertion phrase, it is necessary to transmit distribution information Q including the identification information of the registered character string R and the identification information of the insertion phrase for each insertion section from the information processing device 12 to the terminal device 20. There is. The reproduction control unit 644 of the terminal device 20 generates the distribution character string Y with reference to the guidance table TB that associates the registered character string R with the identification information and associates the insertion phrase with the identification information. Specifically, the reproduction control unit 644 specifies a registered character string R and an insertion phrase corresponding to the identification information indicated by the distribution information Q from the guide table TB, and inserts the insertion phrase into the registered character string R. A distribution character string Y is generated.

(5) In each of the above-described embodiments, both the guide character string X and the distribution character string Y are displayed on the display device 36. However, the display control unit 46 displays only the distribution character string Y on the display device 36 (guidance). (The display of the character string X is omitted). Alternatively, the display of the distribution character string Y may be omitted, and the display control unit 46 may display only the guidance character string X on the display device 36.

(6) In each of the above-described embodiments, the display device that displays the distribution character string Y is exemplified as the playback device 68. However, the method for reproducing the distribution character string Y is not limited to the above examples. For example, a sound emitting device that emits a sound that sounds the distribution character string Y may be used as the playback device 68. Specifically, the playback control unit 644 generates a voice signal representing the voice of the distribution character string by voice synthesis using the distribution character string Y indicated by the distribution information Q, and supplies the voice signal to the sound emitting device of the playback device 68. To do. The display of the delivery character string Y and the sound emission of the delivery character string Y may be used in combination.

(7) In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the distribution character string Y is reproduced in one kind of language (English) in the terminal device 20 is exemplified. However, the language of the distribution character string Y reproduced in the terminal device 20 A configuration capable of changing is also suitable. For example, for each of a plurality of pieces of identification information DY that can be specified by the distribution information Q, a plurality of distribution character strings Y expressing the same contents in different languages are registered in the guide table TB. The reproduction control unit 644 uses a language (hereinafter referred to as “designated language”) designated by the terminal device 20 among a plurality of delivery character strings Y corresponding to the identification information DY indicated by the delivery information Q extracted by the information extraction unit 642. The reproduction device 68 reproduces the corresponding distribution character string Y. The designated language is, for example, a language designated by a language setting of an OS (Operating System) of the terminal device 20, or a language arbitrarily designated by the user HA of the terminal device 20. According to the above configuration, the distribution character string Y is reproduced in a designated language that is convenient for the user HA of the terminal device 20, which is convenient for foreigners who have difficulty understanding the language of the guidance voice V, for example.

(8) The guidance table TB used in the terminal device 20 is distributed from a specific distribution server via a communication network such as a mobile communication network or the Internet and stored in the storage device 66. Note that the time when the guidance table TB is distributed from the distribution server to the terminal device 20 is arbitrary. For example, the distribution table TB can be periodically updated at a predetermined cycle. Further, for example, every time the program for reproducing the distribution character string Y is started, the terminal device 20 inquires of the distribution server whether or not the distribution table TB is updated, and when there is an update, the latest distribution table TB is transmitted from the distribution server to the terminal. Distribution to the device 20 is also possible.

(9) In each of the above embodiments, the case where the guide table TB is stored in the storage device 66 of the terminal device 20 is exemplified. However, the distribution server that communicates with the terminal device 20 via a communication network such as a mobile communication network or the Internet. May hold the guide table TB. The reproduction control unit 644 of the terminal device 20 transmits a distribution request including the distribution information Q extracted by the information extraction unit 642 to the distribution server. The distribution server specifies the distribution character string Y indicated by the distribution information Q in the distribution request received from the terminal device 20 from the guidance table TB and transmits it to the requesting terminal device 20. The reproduction control unit 644 of the terminal device 20 causes the reproduction device 68 to reproduce the distribution character string Y received from the distribution server. According to the above configuration, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to hold the guide table TB (a plurality of distribution character strings Y) in the terminal device 20. On the other hand, according to the configuration of each embodiment described above in which the terminal device 20 holds the guidance table TB, it is not necessary to communicate with the distribution server when the distribution character string Y is played back, so that the terminal device 20 can communicate with the distribution server. There is an advantage that the distribution character string Y can be reproduced by the terminal device 20 regardless of whether or not it exists.

(10) In each of the above-described embodiments, the distribution information Q is transmitted to the terminal device 20 by acoustic communication using sound waves as a transmission medium. However, the communication method for transmitting the distribution information Q to the terminal device 20 is limited to the above examples. Not. For example, the distribution information Q can be transmitted from the information providing system 10 to the terminal device 20 by wireless communication using electromagnetic waves such as radio waves or infrared rays as a transmission medium. As understood from the above examples, near field communication without a communication network is suitable for transmission of the distribution information Q. For example, near field communication uses acoustic communication or electromagnetic waves using sound waves as a transmission medium. Wireless communication using a transmission medium. However, the distribution information Q may be transmitted from the information providing system 10 to the terminal device 20 via a communication network such as a mobile communication network or the Internet.

(11) In each embodiment described above, the identification information DY of the distribution character string Y is transmitted to the terminal device 20 as the distribution information Q. However, the contents of the distribution information Q are not limited to the above examples. For example, the distribution information Q indicating the distribution character string Y itself may be transmitted from the information providing system 10 to the terminal device 20.

(12) In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the information providing system 10 is used for transportation guidance is illustrated. However, the scene where the information providing system 10 is used is not limited to a transportation facility such as a train or a bus. For example, various facilities including facilities such as seaports or airports, commercial facilities such as shopping malls, exhibition facilities such as museums or museums, sports facilities such as stadiums or gymnasiums, accommodation facilities such as hotels or inns, and tourist facilities such as temples The information providing system 10 exemplified in each of the above-described forms can be used for guidance regarding facilities.

(13) The information processing apparatus 12 according to each aspect described above is realized by the cooperation of the control device 32 and the program as illustrated in the above-described embodiments. The program according to each of the above-described embodiments acquires a first information acquisition unit 42 that acquires a guide character string X according to an instruction from the user HB, and a distribution character string Y that is partially different from the guide character string X. Second information acquisition unit 44, distribution control unit 54 for transmitting distribution information Q indicating distribution character string Y to a transmission device (for example, sound emitting device 14), and display control unit for displaying distribution character string Y on display device 36 As 46, a computer (for example, the control device 32) is caused to function. The programs exemplified above can be provided in a form stored in a computer-readable recording medium and installed in the computer. The recording medium is, for example, a non-transitory recording medium, and an optical recording medium (optical disk) such as a CD-ROM is a good example, but a known arbitrary one such as a semiconductor recording medium or a magnetic recording medium This type of recording medium can be included. Note that the non-transitory recording medium includes an arbitrary recording medium excluding a transient propagation signal (transitory, “propagating signal”) and does not exclude a volatile recording medium. It is also possible to provide a program to a computer in the form of distribution via a communication network.

(14) The present invention can also be specified as an operation method (information providing method) of the information processing apparatus 12 according to each of the above-described embodiments. In the information processing method according to the preferred embodiment, the computer system (the information providing system 10 including a single computer or a plurality of computers) including the display device 36 acquires the guide character string X according to the instruction from the user HB. (SA4), a distribution character string Y partially different from the guide character string X is acquired (SA5), and distribution information Q indicating the distribution character string Y is transmitted to a transmission device (for example, sound emitting device 14) ( SA10), the distribution character string Y is displayed on the display device 36 (SA6).

From the embodiment described above, the following aspects can be grasped. The information processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a first information acquisition unit that acquires a first character string according to an instruction from a user, and a second character string that is partially different from the first character string. A second information acquisition unit for acquiring the distribution information, a distribution control unit for transmitting the distribution information indicating the second character string to the transmission device, a display device, and a display control unit for displaying the second character string on the display device. . In a specific aspect, the distribution control unit causes distribution information to be transmitted by acoustic communication using a sound emitting device that emits sound corresponding to the first character string as a transmitting device.

In the first aspect, preferably, the display control unit may display the first character string and the second character string side by side on the display device. Therefore, the user can easily compare the first character string and the second character string.
More preferably, for each of a plurality of languages selected by the user, the display control unit may cause the display device to display the first character string and the second character string expressed in the language. According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the user can confirm the first character string and the second character string in a plurality of languages.

In the first aspect, preferably, the first information acquisition unit may acquire a first character string corresponding to a result of speech recognition for the sound collected by the sound collection device. Or a 1st information acquisition part may acquire the 1st character string instruct | indicated with respect to the operation screen of a display apparatus. In this case, the first information acquisition unit may acquire a first character string including a character string selected by the user from a plurality of candidates for each of the plurality of items in response to an instruction on the operation screen.

In the first aspect, preferably, the second information acquisition unit specifies a second character string similar to the first character string. Or the 2nd information acquisition part may specify the 2nd character string which simplified the contents of the 1st character string, and the 2nd information acquisition part adds the detailed information to the 1st character string. Two character strings may be specified.

An information providing method according to a second aspect of the present invention is an information providing method in a computer system including a display device, and the information providing method acquires a first character string according to an instruction from a user, A second character string partially different from the first character string is acquired, distribution information indicating the second character string is transmitted to the transmission device, and the second character string is displayed on the display device.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for acquiring a first character string in response to an instruction from a user in a computer system including a display device, and a first character string partially different from the first character string. A process of acquiring two character strings, a process of transmitting distribution information indicating the second character string to the transmission device, and a process of displaying the second character string on the display device are executed. In any of the second aspect and the third aspect, various suitable aspects in the first aspect can be applied.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Information provision system, 12 ... Information processing device, 14 ... Sound emission device, 16, 62 ... Sound collection device, 20 ... Terminal device, 32, 64 ... Control device, 34, 66 ... Storage device, 36 ... Display device, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 38 ... Operation apparatus, 42 ... 1st information acquisition part, 44 ... 2nd information acquisition part, 46 ... Display control part, 52 ... Speech synthesis part, 54 ... Delivery control part, 56 ... Machine translation part, 642 ... Information extraction part , 644... Playback control unit, 68.

Claims (12)

1. A first information acquisition unit that acquires a first character string according to an instruction from a user;
   A second information acquisition unit for acquiring a second character string partially different from the first character string;
   A distribution control unit that causes the transmission device to transmit distribution information indicating the second character string;
   A display device;
   An information processing apparatus comprising: a display control unit configured to display the second character string on the display device.
2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distribution control unit causes the distribution information to be transmitted by acoustic communication using a sound emitting device that emits a sound corresponding to the first character string as the transmitting device.
3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays the first character string and the second character string side by side on the display device.
4. The information processing unit according to claim 3, wherein the display control unit causes the display device to display the first character string and the second character string expressed in the language for each of a plurality of languages selected by the user. apparatus.
5. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first information acquisition unit acquires the first character string according to a result of speech recognition for the sound collected by the sound collection device.
6. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first information acquisition unit acquires the first character string instructed on an operation screen of the display device.
7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first information acquisition unit acquires the first character string including a character string selected from a plurality of candidates for each of a plurality of items by an instruction to the operation screen.
8. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the second information acquisition unit specifies a second character string similar to the first character string.
9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second information acquisition unit specifies a second character string obtained by simplifying the content of the first character string.
10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second information acquisition unit specifies a second character string obtained by adding detailed information to the first character string.
11. An information providing method in a computer system comprising a display device,
    Get the first character string according to the instruction from the user,
    Obtaining a second character string partially different from the first character string;
    Distribution information indicating the second character string is transmitted to a transmission device;
    An information providing method comprising: displaying the second character string on the display device.
12. In a computer system having a display device,
    Processing for obtaining a first character string in accordance with an instruction from a user;
    Processing to obtain a second character string partially different from the first character string;
    Processing for causing the transmission device to transmit distribution information indicating the second character string;
    A program for executing the process of displaying the second character string on the display device.
    

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