JP6936772B2 - Information provider - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information providing device that starts voice guidance from a speaker to the driver of the vehicle when the traveling vehicle reaches the utterance start point (point).

In Patent Document 1, the information processing unit operates an external device such as an air conditioner of a vehicle in response to a voice input command of the occupant, and the tone and utterance speed of the response voice from the vehicle related to the operation result are determined by the occupant. A vehicle voice response system that determines based on the tone and speech speed of the voice input command is disclosed (Patent Documents 1 [0051] to [0054]).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-158573

However, the vehicle voice response system according to the background technology has a problem that the vehicle voice response system does not operate unless a user's voice input command is issued.

The present invention has been made in consideration of such a problem, and provides an information providing device capable of starting voice guidance at an accurate utterance start point according to the driver at a voice utterance speed. With the goal.

One aspect of the present invention is an information providing device that starts voice guidance from a speaker to the driver of the vehicle when the traveling vehicle reaches the utterance start point, and the driver speaks according to the utterance speed of the driver. A driver utterance speed setting unit that sets the speed, and a plurality of utterance types in which the set driver utterance speed is pre-assigned according to the utterance speed of the voice guidance output from the speaker. An utterance start point that calculates the utterance start point of the voice guidance from the utterance type determination unit that determines which one is applicable, the utterance speech speed corresponding to the determined utterance type, and the number of utterance characters of the voice guidance. It is equipped with a calculation unit.

According to the present invention, voice guidance at a voice utterance speed according to the driver can be started from an accurate utterance start point.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information providing device according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is an interior view of the inside of the vehicle equipped with the information providing device shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the rear inside the vehicle. FIG. 3 is a table diagram showing the contents of the utterance type table stored in the utterance type storage unit in FIG. FIG. 4 is an example diagram of a traffic situation provided for explaining the operation of the information providing device according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart provided for explaining the operation of the information providing device according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of how to calculate the utterance start point for ending the voice guidance at the same utterance end point.

An embodiment of the information providing device according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[composition]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information providing device 10 according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is an interior view of the inside of the vehicle 12 on which the information providing device 10 is mounted, as viewed from the rear inside the vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 1, the information providing device 10 basically includes a navigation device 14, a microphone 16 electrically connected to the navigation device 14, a power switch 18, a speaker 20, and a GPS satellite. For example, it is composed of a GPS antenna 22 that captures satellite radio waves from GPS satellites and a vehicle speed sensor 24.

The power switch 18 is a switch that replaces the conventional ignition switch, and can be switched to an OFF mode, an accessory mode, and an ON mode for activating the power system.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the microphone 16 is provided on the steering wheel 26 in the vehicle 12, and the power switch 18 is provided below the center of the dashboard 28. The speaker 20 is provided on the kick panels of both front doors, and the GPS antenna 22 (not shown in FIG. 2) is provided inside the upper surface of the dashboard 28. As the microphone 16, the built-in microphone of the navigation device 14 may be used.

Further, the navigation device 14 is arranged in the center of the front surface of the dashboard 28, and includes a touch display (also referred to as a touch panel 30A or a display 30B) 30 that also serves as a touch panel and a display.

The winker lever (direction indicator) 31 is provided on the left side of the steering column.

The vehicle speed sensor 24 that outputs the vehicle speed Vv is provided on an axle (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation device 14 has a gyro sensor 32 and a direction sensor 34 for self-contained navigation, a map database 36 including detailed road information, and GPS reception for detecting the position of the vehicle 12 (own vehicle). A unit 38 is provided.

Further, the navigation device 14 is a computer including a processor such as a CPU and a memory, and is a voice guidance utterance control unit (hereinafter, also referred to as a control unit) 40 that functions when the CPU executes a program stored in the memory. The driver's speech speed setting / learning unit (driver's speech speed setting unit 42A or driver's speech speed learning unit 42B) 42, the speech type determination unit 44, and the speech type storage unit 46 are provided. The control unit 40 includes an utterance start point calculation unit 50 and an utterance end point calculation unit 52.

FIG. 3 shows the contents of the utterance type table 60 stored in the utterance type storage unit 46 of the navigation device 14.

In the utterance type table 60, the utterance type TS achieved by the utterance speed conversion in which the playback speed can be changed without changing the pitch by the signal processing of the control unit 40 is three types of "slow", "normal", and "fast". The "slow" voice utterance speed Saud is 7.5 [mora / sec], the "fast" voice utterance speed Saud is 9.5 [mora / sec], and the "normal" voice utterance speed Saud. Is set to 8.5 [mora / sec].

Note that 1 [mora / sec] is a unit indicating the number of uttered characters when the voice uttered in one second is transcribed into hiragana.

When the driver utterance speed Sdrive set or learned as described later is less than 8.0 [mora / sec], the utterance type TS is "slow" with a voice utterance speed Saud of 7.5 [mora / sec]. When the driver's utterance speed Sdrive is 8.0 [mora / sec] or more and less than 9.0 [mora / sec], the utterance type TS has a voice utterance speed Saud of 8.5 [mora / sec]. When the driver's utterance speed Sdrive exceeds 9.0 [mora / sec], the utterance type TS becomes "fast" with the voice utterance speed Saud of 9.5 [mora / sec]. Be judged

[motion]
Basically, the operation of the information providing device 10 according to the embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5 by taking the traffic situation shown in FIG. 4 as an example of voice guidance.

FIG. 4 shows an example in which a vehicle 12 traveling on a road 53 toward an intersection 54 at a vehicle speed Vv = 40 [km / h] turns left at the intersection 54, and is taken from the speaker 20 of the information providing device 10. It is explanatory drawing provided for the explanation to calculate the distance Ds from the intersection 54 which starts utterance of voice guidance "please turn left at the next intersection" (the number of utterance characters of hiragana is 18 characters), that is, the utterance start point Xs.

In this case, the utterance end point Xe is set to a distance De 30 [m] before the intersection 54 when the driver operates the winker lever 31 (signals a left turn).

In step S1 of FIG. 5, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the power switch 18 has been turned on (power switch ON) by the driver while the vehicle 12 is stopped.

When the control unit 40 detects the ON mode (step S1: YES), in step S2, the driver speech speed setting / learning unit 42 determines whether or not the driver is elderly, for example, 70 years or older. The input of whether or not is is prompted for a predetermined time, for example, several seconds by the voice from the speaker 20 or the display on the display 30B.

When the driver's utterance speed setting unit 42A detects the input of "elderly person" from the microphone 16 or the input of "elderly person" from the touch panel 30A (step S2: YES), step S3. The driver utterance speed setting unit 42A sets the driver utterance speed Sdrive to 7.5 [mora / sec], which is the default for the elderly, and proceeds to step S4.

On the other hand, in step S2, when the determination is negative (step S2: NO), that is, when there is no input from the microphone 16 and the touch panel 30A by the driver within the above several seconds, or when the microphone 16 and the touch panel are not input. When an input indicating that the person is not an elderly person is made from 30A, in step S5, the driver utterance speed learning unit 42B determines the driver to utter a fixed sentence by the voice from the speaker 20 and the display on the display 30B. Prompt for time, eg a few seconds.

Here, the fixed phrase is a pre-registered word such as "Good morning." And can be changed arbitrarily.

Whether or not the previous utterance type TS is stored in the utterance type storage unit 46 in step S6 when the utterance by the fixed sentence from the driver is not detected within the predetermined time (step S5: NO). Is not stored (step S6: NO), in step S7, the driver utterance speed setting unit 42A sets the driver's utterance type TS to the default "slow", and the setting is set. In step S8, it is stored in the utterance type storage unit 46.

When the previous utterance type TS is stored (step S6: YES), the process proceeds to step S9.

In this way, if there is no input with the elderly in step S2 and the previous utterance type is not stored in the utterance type storage unit 46 in step S6, the utterance type TS is set to the default "slow". Note that it will be done.

On the other hand, when it is detected through the microphone 16 that the driver has uttered a fixed sentence in step S5 (step S5: YES), in step S10, the driver utterance speed learning unit 42B speaks the driver. Learn (acquire) the velocity Sdrive [mora / sec].

Next, in step S4, the utterance type determination unit 44 determines the utterance type TS of the driver with reference to the utterance type table 60 shown in FIG.

That is, in step S4, when the driver utterance speed Sdrive learned in step S10 is less than 8.0 (Sdrive <8.0), the utterance type TS = slowly, and when 8.0 ≤ Sdrive <9.0. It is determined (determined) that the utterance type TS = normal and the utterance type TS = fast when Sdrive> 9.0.

When the driver's utterance speed Sdrive is set to 7.5 [mora / sec] in step S3, the utterance type TS is determined to be "slow" in step S4.

Next, in step S8, the utterance type determination unit 44 overwrites and stores the utterance type TS determined in step S4 and the utterance type TS set in step S7 in the utterance type storage unit 46.

After the utterance type TS is stored in step S8, and when the determination in step S6 is affirmative (the previous utterance type TS is stored), the vehicle 12 starts running.

Next, after step S9, the navigation device 14 obtains the position information (own vehicle position) of the vehicle (own vehicle) 12 by receiving the GPS radio wave from the GPS satellite, and displays the own vehicle position (current location of the own vehicle). It is displayed with a mark such as an arrow on the map displayed on 30B.

In addition, the navigation device 14 indicates the road to be taken to the destination on the display 30B by the route guidance function, and provides the driver of the traveling vehicle 12 with voice guidance and the like.

Next, in step S11, the utterance end point calculation unit 52 calculates the utterance end point Xe of the next voice guidance based on the GPS reception result in step S9.

When turning left at the intersection 54, the utterance end point Xe is calculated and set at a point 30 [m] before the intersection 54 (see FIG. 4).

That is, the utterance of the last "i" sound of the voice guidance "Please turn left at the next intersection" from the speaker 20 becomes the voice utterance speed Sound (Saud = 7.5, 8.5, 9.5). Regardless, it is controlled to end at a certain utterance end point Xe = 30 [m].

In order to control the voice guidance to end at a constant utterance end point Xe = 30 [m] regardless of the utterance speed Saud, in step S12, the utterance start point calculation unit 50 is the utterance type storage unit 46. While reading the utterance type TS of the driver stored in, the vehicle speed Vv [km / h] is acquired from the vehicle speed sensor 24, and in step S13, it is substituted into the following equation (1) to the utterance start point Xs. The distance Ds from the intersection 54, that is, the utterance start point Xs is calculated.
Xs (Ds) = Xe (De) + (number of utterances / Sound) x Vv ... (1)

In the above equation (1), Xs is the utterance start point (Ds is the utterance start distance), Xe is the utterance end point (De is the utterance end distance), the number of utterances is the number of utterance characters in hiragana, Saud is the voice utterance speed, and Vv is the vehicle speed. Is.

To explain a specific example, in step S4, when the driver's utterance type TS is set to "normal", the vehicle speed Vv is Vv = 40 [km / h], and the number of utterance characters is 18 characters. The utterance start point Xs is calculated as Xs (Ds) ≈30 [m] + (18 / 8.5) × 11.1 [m / s] ≈54 [m] (see FIG. 4).

The calculation point (calculation point) of the utterance start point Xs is, for example, a point several hundred meters before the intersection 54 where the person intends to turn left. At this point, for example, a voice guidance such as "Turn left at an intersection about 300 meters away" is given.

FIG. 6 shows a predetermined utterance start point according to the above equation (1) when the voice utterance speed Saud is different from 7.5, 8.5, and 9.5 [mora / sec], without depending on the voice utterance speed Saud. An example of how to calculate the utterance start point Xs indicating that the voice guidance can be ended at the same (constant) utterance end point Xe by setting Xs (Xs = A, B, C) is shown.

When the utterance type TS is set to "slow", the utterance start point Xs is set to the position farthest from Xs = A and the intersection 54 (0 [m]), and the utterance type TS is set to "normal". When, the utterance start point Xs is set to Xs = B, and when the utterance type TS is set to "fast", the utterance start point Xs is set to the position closest to Xs = C and the intersection 54. ..

In either case, in step S14, the voice guidance of "Please turn left at the next intersection" is changed in speaking speed and uttered, so that the same utterance end point Xe {intersection 54 to 30 [m] Voice guidance ends at}

[summary]
The information providing device 10 according to the above embodiment is an information providing device 10 that starts voice guidance from the speaker 20 to the driver of the vehicle 12 when the traveling vehicle 12 reaches the utterance start point Xs.
The driver's utterance speed setting unit 42A, which sets the driver's utterance speed Sdrive according to the driver's utterance speed, and the driver's utterance speed setting unit 42A.
A utterance type that determines which of a plurality of utterance type TSs assigned in advance according to the voice utterance speed Saud, which is the utterance speed of the voice guidance output from the speaker 20, the set driver utterance speed Sdrive. Judgment unit 44 and
The utterance start point calculation unit 50 for calculating the utterance start point Xs of the voice guidance from the voice utterance speed Saud corresponding to the determined utterance type TS and the number of utterance characters of the voice guidance is provided.

With this configuration, the utterance start point Xs of the voice guidance is calculated from the utterance type TS to which the driver utterance speed Sdrive corresponds, the utterance speed Saud corresponding to the utterance type TS, and the number of utterance characters of the voice guidance. Therefore, the voice guidance at the voice utterance speed Saud according to the driver can be started at an accurate utterance start point Xs.

Further, in the information providing device 10,
The driver utterance speed setting unit 42A
When the driver is an elderly person (step S2: YES), the driver's utterance speed Sdrive (Sdrive = 7.5 [mora / sec]), which is slower than that of the non-elderly person (young person), should be set. You may do it.

Therefore, if the driver is an elderly person, the driver's utterance speed Sdrive = 7.5 [mora / sec], which is suitable for the elderly person, that is, slower than that of the non-elderly person (young person). Is set (speech speed conversion). Therefore, the navigation device 14 can provide voice guidance with a margin even if the driver is an elderly person.

Further, in the information providing device 10,
The driver utterance speed setting unit 42A
The driver utterance speed learning unit 42B (step S10) may be used to learn and set the driver utterance speed Sdrive.

By learning and setting the driver utterance speed Sdrive in this way, the utterance type TS corresponding to the driver utterance speed Sdrive can be accurately determined.

Furthermore, in the information providing device 10,
The utterance start point calculation unit 50
Further, the utterance start point Xs may be calculated by reflecting the vehicle speed Vv of the vehicle 12.

According to this, the voice guidance can be started in a timely manner according to the vehicle speed Vv in the traveling state. For example, even if the voice utterance speed Sound is slowed down, the voice guidance can be completed at a required timing.

Furthermore, in the information providing device 10,
The utterance start point calculation unit 50
The utterance start point Xs may be calculated so that the utterance of the voice guidance ends at a predetermined utterance end point Xe.

As a result, the utterance start point Xs is calculated so that the utterance of the voice guidance ends at the predetermined utterance end point Xe. , It is possible to control so that the utterance is surely ended at the utterance end point Xe.

Furthermore, in the information providing device 10,
The predetermined utterance end point Xe is
A predetermined signal by the vehicle 12, for example, the operation of the winker lever 31 may be set at the timing when the execution is started.

As a result, the predetermined signal can be reliably fulfilled at the predetermined utterance end point Xe.

Furthermore, in the information providing device 10,
The utterance type TS is classified into three types, slow, normal, and fast, and by default, it can be set to slow, so that it can be set to be friendly to the elderly.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and is basically limited to, for example, as an example of traffic conditions other than intersections, such as branch guidance on a toll road, warning of merging caution, guidance of arrival at a destination on a general road, and the like. It is applicable to the case where the voice guidance by the navigation device 14 depends on the points on the map, and it goes without saying that various configurations can be adopted based on the contents described in this specification.

10 ... Information providing device 12 ... Vehicle 14 ... Navigation device 16 ... Microphone 20 ... Speaker 24 ... Vehicle speed sensor 30 ... Touch display 40 ... Voice guidance utterance control unit (control unit)
42 ... Driver utterance speed setting / learning unit 42A ... Driver utterance speed setting unit 42B ... Driver utterance speed learning unit 44 ... Speaking type determination unit 46 ... Speaking type storage unit 50 ... Speaking start point calculation unit 52 ... Speaking end point Calculation unit 60 ... Utterance type table

Claims (7)

An information providing device that starts voice guidance from a speaker to the driver of the vehicle when the running vehicle reaches the utterance start point.
The driver's utterance speed setting unit that sets the driver's utterance speed according to the driver's utterance speed, and the driver's utterance speed setting unit.
The utterance type determination unit that determines which of the plurality of utterance types assigned in advance according to the voice utterance speed, which is the utterance speed of the voice guidance output from the speaker, corresponds to the set driver's utterance speed. When,
An information providing device including a utterance start point calculation unit that calculates the utterance start point of the voice guidance from the voice utterance speed corresponding to the determined utterance type and the number of utterance characters of the voice guidance. The information providing device according to claim 1.
The driver utterance speed setting unit
An information providing device that sets the driver's utterance speed, which is slower than that of a non-elderly person when the driver is an elderly person. The information providing device according to claim 1.
The driver utterance speed setting unit
An information providing device serving as a driver speaking speed learning unit that learns and sets the driver speaking speed. The information providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The utterance start point calculation unit
Further, an information providing device that calculates the utterance start point by reflecting the vehicle speed of the vehicle. The information providing device according to claim 4.
The utterance start point calculation unit
An information providing device that calculates the utterance start point so that the utterance of the voice guidance ends at a predetermined utterance end point. The information providing device according to claim 5.
The predetermined utterance end point is
An information providing device set at a timing when a predetermined signal by the vehicle is started to be executed. The information providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
The utterance type is classified into three types, slow, normal, and fast, and the information providing device is set to slow by default.

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