INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, INFORMATION OUTPUT METHOD, PROGRAM, AND STORAGE MEDIUM

The information processing device provides information relating to a movement of a mobile body. The receiving unit receives an information request. The load determination unit determines a load of a driver with respect to a driving of the mobile body. The voice output unit outputs, in response to the information request, a basic information when the load is large, and an additional information in addition to the basic information when the load is small.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to route guidance by voice.

Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, there is known a navigation device for performing route guidance to a destination by voice. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a voice navigation system for notifying the approximate distance and orientation from the current location to the destination by increasing the spread of the sound field as the distance from the current location to the destination is small, and localizing the sound output from the speaker so that the sound is heard from the direction of the destination with respect to the head of the user.

PRECEDING TECHNICAL REFERENCES

Patent References

Patent Reference 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open under 2017-138277

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the voice navigation device which performs route guidance by voice, basically the guide route is not displayed. Therefore, the driver may become anxious whether he/she is driving correctly according to the guide route, and may ask questions about the guide route. In this case, the voice navigation device is required to present information requested by the driver according to the driving situation.

The present invention has been made to solve the problems as described above, and a main object thereof is to provide an information processing device capable of presenting information requested by the driver according to the driving situation.

A first embodiment is an information processing device which provides information relating to a movement of a mobile body, comprising: a receiving unit configured to receive an information request; a load determination unit configured to determine a load of a driver with respect to a driving of the mobile body; and a voice output unit configured to output, in response to the information request, a basic information when the load is large, and an additional information in addition to the basic information when the load is small.

Another embodiment is an information output method executed by an information processing device which provides information relating to a movement of a mobile body, comprising: a receiving process of receiving an information request; a load determination process of determining a load of a driver with respect to a driving of the mobile body; and a voice output process of outputting, in response to the information request, a basic information when the load is large, and an additional information in addition to the basic information when the load is small.

A further embodiment is a program executed by an information processing device including a computer and provides information relating to a movement of a mobile object, the program causing the computer to function as: a receiving unit configured to receive an information request; a load determination unit configured to determine a load of a driver with respect to a driving of the mobile body; and a voice output unit configured to output, in response to the information request, a basic information when the load is large, and an additional information in addition to the basic information when the load is small.

Yet another embodiment is an information processing device which provides information relating to a movement of a mobile body, comprising: a receiving unit configured to receive an information request; and a voice output unit configured to output, in response to the information request, the information of a next guiding point during a travelling of the mobile body and when the mobile body is located in an intersection, and output the information of the next guiding point and a second guiding point when the mobile body is stopped outside the intersection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an information processing device which provides information relating to a movement of a mobile body, comprising: a receiving unit configured to receive an information request; a load determination unit configured to determine a load of a driver with respect to a driving of the mobile body; and a voice output unit configured to output, in response to the information request, a basic information when the load is large, and an additional information in addition to the basic information when the load is small.

The above information processing device provides information relating to a movement of a mobile body. The receiving unit receives an information request. The load determination unit determines a load of a driver with respect to a driving of the mobile body. The voice output unit outputs, in response to the information request, a basic information when the load is large, and an additional information in addition to the basic information when the load is small. Thus, in response to the information request, an appropriate information can be outputted in accordance with the load of the driver.

In one mode of the above information processing device, the load determination unit determines that the load is large while the mobile body is traveling and when the mobile body is positioned within an intersection, and determines that the load is small when the mobile body is stopped outside the intersection.

In another mode of the above information processing device, the information request is related to a next action to be taken with respect to a traveling of the mobile body. The voice output unit outputs the information of a next guiding point as the basic information during the traveling of the mobile body, and outputs the next guiding point as the basic information and outputs the information of a second guiding point as the additional information when the mobile body is stopped outside the intersection.

In still another mode of the above information processing device, the information request is related to a next action to be taken with respect to a traveling of the mobile body. The voice output unit outputs the information of a next guiding point of an intersection as the basic information when the mobile body is positioned within the intersection.

In still another mode of the above information processing device, the information request relates to an arrival schedule to a destination of the mobile body. The voice output unit outputs at least one of a remaining distance to the destination and an expected arrival time as the basic information while the mobile body is traveling, and outputs information regarding a use of a toll road as the additional information in addition to at least one of the remaining distance to the destination and the expected arrival time as the basic information when the mobile body is stopped outside the intersection.

In still another mode of the above information processing device, the load determination unit determines the load based on at least one of a shape of a road on which the mobile body travels, necessity of lane change of the mobile body, traffic conditions around the mobile body, and biometric information of the driver.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an information output method executed by an information processing device which provides information relating to a movement of a mobile body, comprising: a receiving process of receiving an information request; a load determination process of determining a load of a driver with respect to a driving of the mobile body; and a voice output process of outputting, in response to the information request, a basic information when the load is large, and an additional information in addition to the basic information when the load is small.

According to still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a program executed by an information processing device including a computer and provides information relating to a movement of a mobile object, the program causing the computer to function as: a receiving unit configured to receive an information request; a load determination unit configured to determine a load of a driver with respect to a driving of the mobile body; and a voice output unit configured to output, in response to the information request, a basic information when the load is large, and an additional information in addition to the basic information when the load is small. By executing the program by the computer, the above information processing device may be realized. This program can be stored in a storage medium and used.

According to still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an information processing device which provides information relating to a movement of a mobile body, comprising: a receiving unit configured to receive an information request; and a voice output unit configured to output, in response to the information request, the information of a next guiding point during a travelling of the mobile body and when the mobile body is located in an intersection, and output the information of the next guiding point and a second guiding point when the mobile body is stopped outside the intersection.

The information processing device provides information relating to a movement of a mobile body. The receiving unit receives an information request. The voice output unit outputs, in response to the information request, the information of a next guiding point during a travelling of the mobile body and when the mobile body is located in an intersection, and outputs the information of the next guiding point and a second guiding point when the mobile body is stopped outside the intersection.

Embodiments

Hereinafter, suitable embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to drawings.

First Embodiment

System Configuration

FIG.1illustrates a configuration example of a voice guidance system according to a first embodiment of the information processing device of the present invention. The voice guidance system includes a vehicle Ve and a voice guidance device1.

The voice guidance device1moves with the vehicle Ve, and performs a route guidance mainly by voice so that the vehicle Ve travels along the route to be guided (also referred to as “guide route”). Incidentally, the “route guidance mainly by voice” refers to a route guidance in which the user can obtain information necessary for driving the vehicle Ve along the guide route at least from the voice only, and it does not intend to exclude that the voice guidance device1supplementarily displays the map around the current position. In this embodiment, the voice guidance device1outputs at least information relating to a point (also referred to as a “guiding point”) on a route where guidance is necessary by voice. Here, for example, the guiding point includes intersections with the right/left turn of the vehicle Ve, and other important passing points for the vehicle Ve to travel along the guide route. For example, the voice guidance device1performs voice guidance related to the guiding point, such as the distance from the vehicle Ve to the next guiding point and the traveling direction at the guiding point. Hereafter, the voice related to the guidance of the guidance route is also referred to as “route voice guidance”.

Incidentally, the voice guidance device1may be an on-vehicle device mounted or attached to the vehicle Ve, or may be a portable terminal to be brought and utilized in a vehicle such as a smartphone. In yet another example, the voice guidance device1may be incorporated into the vehicle Ve. The voice guidance device1is an example of an “information processing device”. Further, the vehicle Ve is an example of a “mobile body”.

Device Configuration

FIG.2shows an example of a schematic configuration of a voice guidance device1. The voice guidance device1mainly includes a communication unit11, a storage unit12, an input unit13, a control unit14, a sensor group15, a display unit16, and a voice output unit17. Each element in the voice guidance device1is connected to each other via a bus line10.

The communication unit11performs data communication with the other terminals based on the control of the control unit14. For example, the communication unit11may receive map data for updating the map DB (DataBase)4to be described later from a map management server (not shown).

The storage unit12is composed of various memories such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a non-volatile memory (including a hard disk drive, a flash memory, and the like). The storage unit12stores a program for the voice guidance device1to execute a predetermined process. The above-described program may include an application program for performing the route guidance by voice, an application program for playing music, an application program for outputting content other than music (such as a TV), and the like. The storage unit12is also used as a work memory of the control unit14. The program to be executed by the voice guidance device1may be stored in a storage medium other than the storage unit12.

Further, the storage unit12stores the map DB4. The map DB4records various types of data required for the route guidance. The map DB4is a database that includes, for example, road data representing a road network by a combination of nodes and links, and facility data representing facilities that are candidates for a destination, stopover points, or landmarks. The map DB4may be updated based on the map information that the communication unit11receives from the map management server, under the control of the control unit14.

The input unit13is a button, a touch panel, a remote controller, a voice input device, or the like for the user to operate. The display unit16is a display or the like for performing display under the control of the control unit14. The voice output unit17is a speaker or the like for outputting sound under the control of the control unit14.

The sensor group15includes an external sensor18and an internal sensor19. The external sensor18may be one or more sensors for recognizing the surrounding environment of the vehicle Ve such as a camera, a lidar, a radar, an ultrasonic sensor, an infrared sensor, a sonar, and the like. The internal sensor19is a sensor for positioning the vehicle Ve, for example, a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver, a gyroscopic sensor, IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), a vehicle speed sensor, or a combination thereof. The sensor group15may have a sensor by which the control unit14can directly or indirectly (i.e., by performing the estimation process) derive the position of the vehicle Ve from the output of the sensor group15.

The control unit14includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and the like, and controls the entire voice guidance device1. For example, based on the output of one or more sensors of the sensor group15, the control unit14estimates the position of the vehicle Ve (including the direction of the traveling direction). Further, when the destination is designated by the input unit13, the control unit14generates a route information indicating a guide route to the destination, and performs the route guidance based on the route information, the position information of the estimated vehicle Ve, and the map DB4. In this case, the control unit14controls the voice output unit17to output the route voice guidance. Further, the control unit14controls the display unit16to display the information of the music being played, the video content, or as a map around the current position.

In the above configuration, the input unit13is an example of a reception unit, and the control unit14is an example of a load determination unit.

Incidentally, the processing executed by the control unit14is not limited to be realized by software by a program, and it may be realized by any combination of hardware, firmware, and software. The process executed by the control unit14may be realized by an integrated circuit that can be programmed by the user, for example, a FPGA (field-programmable gate array) or a microcomputer. In this case, a program that the control unit14implements in this embodiment may be realized by the integrated circuit. Thus, the control unit14may be realized by hardware other than the processor.

The configuration of the voice guidance device1shown inFIG.2is merely an example, and various changes may be made to the configuration shown inFIG.2. For example, instead of storing the map DB4in the storage unit12, the control unit14may receive information required for the route guidance through the communication unit11from the map management server (not shown). In another example, instead of providing the voice output unit17, the voice guidance device1may be connected, electrically or by known communication means, to a different voice output unit17which is configured separately from the voice guidance device1, and the different voice output unit17may output the sound. In this case, the different voice output unit17may be a speaker provided in the vehicle Ve. In yet another example, the voice guidance device1may not include a display unit16. In this case, the voice guidance device1may not perform any control relating to the display. Alternatively, by electrically connecting to the display unit provided in the vehicle Ve or the like by a wired or wireless connection, the voice guidance device1may make the display unit execute a predetermined display. Similarly, instead of including the sensor group15, the voice guidance device1may acquire information outputted by the sensors attached to the vehicle Ve from the vehicle Ve, based on a communication protocol such as CAN (Controller Area Network).

Request for Information

In this embodiment, the user operates the input unit13to request information on the guide route. For example, the user presses a button constituting the input unit13, and then makes an information request by voice input. Incidentally, the “user” here may be a driver of the vehicle Ve, or may be a passenger. The information request is intended to request information on the guide route. Specifically, the information request includes “actions to be performed next,” “schedule of arrival at the destination,” and “location of the destination.” Incidentally, other information requests may be performed.

The voice guidance device1responds to the information request as described above by making the voice output of the guidance information from the voice output unit17. Here, in this embodiment, the voice guidance device1changes the amount of information of the guidance information to be outputted, in accordance with the driver's driving load at the time when the information request is made. Specifically, the voice guidance device1outputs only the basic information when the driver's driving load is large, and outputs additional information in addition to the basic information when the driver's driving load is small. This is because the amount of information should be minimized so as not to impair the driver's attention when the driving load is large. On the other hand, since there is room for the driver when the driving load is small, the additional information is provided. The contents of the basic information and the additional information depend on the contents of the information request by the user.

FIG.3shows examples of guidance information for a user's information request. As shown, the guidance information is prepared for each type of information request and according to the traveling state of the vehicle. It will be described below for each type of information request.

(1) Next Action to be Taken

The user's information request about the next action to be taken is, for example, “Where should I turn next?” When the driving load is large, e.g., when the vehicle is traveling, the voice guidance device1outputs only the information of the next guiding point as the basic information, and does not output the additional information. On the other hand, when the driving load is small, e.g., when the vehicle is parking outside the intersection or stopping, the voice guidance device1outputs the information of the next guiding point as the basic information, and further outputs the information of the further next (i.e., second) guiding point as the additional information. Incidentally, among the case where the driving load is large, when the vehicle has entered the intersection of the guiding point, the voice guidance device1outputs the information of the guiding point ahead (i.e., the second guiding point) as the basic information. That is, when the vehicle has already entered the intersection of the guiding point, since it is meaningless to output the information of the guiding point, the voice guidance device1outputs the information of the next guiding point as the basic information.

(2) Schedule to Arrive at the Destination

The user's information request about the schedule to arrive at the destination is, for example, “How long does it take to arrive?” When the driving load is large, e.g., when the vehicle is traveling, the voice guidance device1outputs at least one of the remaining distance and the arrival time to the destination as the basic information, and does not output the additional information. On the other hand, when the driving load is small, e.g., when the vehicle is parking outside the intersection or stopping, the voice guidance device1outputs at least one of the remaining distance and the arrival time to the destination as the basic information, and further outputs information as to whether or not the toll road is used or the information of the next interchange (IC) as the additional information.

(3) Location of Destination

The user's information request regarding the location of the destination is, for example, “Which direction is the destination?” or the like. In this case, since no additional information is particularly required for the information requested by the user, the voice guidance device1outputs the direction of the destination as the basic information, regardless of the driving load.

As described above, in this embodiment, the amount of information to be outputted in response to the information request of the user is changed in accordance with the driver's driving load. Thus, it is possible to provide the requested information depending on the driving situation.

Information Output Processing

FIG.4is a flowchart of the information output processing according to the first embodiment. When the voice guidance device1acquires the information request of the user through the input unit13(Step S11), the voice guidance device1determines whether or not the information request is related to the location of the destination (Step S12). When the information request is related to the location of the destination (Step S12: Yes), the voice guidance device1outputs the basic information indicating the direction of the destination (Step S17), and ends the processing.

On the other hand, when the information request is not related to the location of the destination (Step S12: No), the voice guidance device1determines whether or not the information request relates to the next action to be taken or the arrival schedule to the destination (Step S13). If the information request does not relate to the next action to be taken and the arrival schedule to the destination (step S13: No), the voice guidance device1ends the processing.

On the other hand, when the information request relates to the next action to be taken or the arrival schedule to the destination (step S13: Yes), the voice guidance device1determines the driving load based on the traveling state of the vehicle Ve (step S14). Specifically, the voice guidance device1determines the driving load based on the traveling state, according to the example shown inFIG.4. Then, the voice guidance device1determines whether or not the driving load is large (step S15). If the driving load is large (step S15: Yes), the voice guidance device1outputs only the basic information (step S17). That is, if the information request relates to the next action to be taken, the voice guidance device1outputs only the next guiding point. However, when the vehicle has already entered the intersection of the guide point, the voice guidance device1outputs only the subsequent (i.e., second) guiding point. In addition, if the information request relates to the arrival schedule to the destination, the voice guidance device1outputs only the remaining distance to the destination or the arrival time.

On the other hand, when the driving load is small (step S15: No), the voice guidance device1outputs additional information in addition to the basic information (step S16). That is, if the information request relates to the next action to be taken, the voice guidance device1outputs the subsequent (i.e., second) guidance point in addition to the next guidance point. Also, if the information request relates to the arrival schedule to the destination, the voice guidance device1outputs the presence or absence of the toll road use and the IC used next in addition to the remaining distance to the destination or the arrival time. Then, the processing ends.

Second Embodiment

FIG.5is a configuration example of a voice guidance system according to the second embodiment. The voice guidance system according to the second embodiment mainly includes a vehicle Ve, a voice guidance device1A, and a server device2. Incidentally, the same components as in the first embodiment are appropriately denoted by the same reference numerals as the components of the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The voice guidance device1A has the same configuration as the voice guidance device1described in the first embodiment described above (seeFIG.2). In the second embodiment, since the server device2performs the route search processing and the route guidance processing based on the map DB4, the voice guidance device1A may not have a map DB4. Then, when the voice guidance device1A detects the input by the user specifying the destination or the like via the input unit13, the voice guidance device1A transmits the upload signal “S1” including the position information of the vehicle Ve outputted by the sensor group15and the information related to the specified destination to the server device2. Also, when the user makes an information request, the voice guidance device1A supplies the server device2with the upload signal S1including information indicating the content or type of the information request and information regarding the traveling state of the vehicle Ve. Further, when the voice guidance device1A receives the control signal “S2” related to the voice output from the server device2when the vehicle Ve is traveling, the voice guidance device1A outputs voice by the voice output unit17based on the control signal S2. In this case, the voice guidance device1A outputs information in response to the information request of the user, based on the control signal S2.

The server device2generates a route information indicating a guide route to be traveled by the vehicle Ve based on the upload signal S1including a destination or the like received from the voice guidance device1A. Then, the server device2generates the control signal S2related to the information output for the information request of the user and the traveling state of the vehicle Ve on the basis of the information request of the user indicated by the upload signal S1transmitted by the voice guidance device1A. Then, the server device2transmits the generated control signal S2to the voice guidance device1A.

FIG.6shows an example of a schematic configuration of the server device2. The server device2mainly includes a communication unit21, a storage unit22, and a control unit24. Each element in the server device2is interconnected via a bus line20.

The communication unit21performs data communication with an external device such as a voice guidance device1A under the control of the control unit24. The storage unit22is composed of various memories such as a RAM, a ROM, and a non-volatile memory (including a hard disk drive, a flash memory, and the like). The storage unit22stores a program for the server device2to execute a predetermined processing. Further, the storage unit22includes a map DB4. The control unit24includes a CPU, a GPU, and the like, and controls the entire server device2. Also, the control unit24executes at least a part of the processing of the voice guidance device1described in the above example, by executing a program stored in the storage unit22. For example, based on the upload signal Si received via the communication unit21from the voice guidance device1A, the control unit24generates the route information indicating the guide route, and generates the control signal S2relating to the information output in response to the information request of the user. Then, the control unit24transmits the generated control signal S2to the voice guidance device1A by the communication unit21.

Here, the server device2executes processing of the flowchart shown inFIG.4based on the upload signal S1and the map DB4. In this case, the server device2performs processing of steps S12to S17on the basis of the upload signal Si including information on the information request of the user and the traveling state of the vehicle, generates the control signal S2relating to the information output in response to the information request of the user, and transmits the control signal S2to the voice guidance device1A.

As described above, even when the server device2substantially controls the voice guidance device1A related to the route guidance, the voice guidance system can output information of an appropriate amount according to the driving load in response to the user's information request, similarly to the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the server device2is an example of an “information processing device”.

Modification

Modifications to the above embodiments will be described below. The following modifications can be carried out in combination as appropriate.

In the above-described embodiments, as shown inFIG.3, the voice guidance device1or1A outputs only the basic information or the basic information and the additional information in response to the information request of the user in accordance with the driving load. Instead of preparing the information to be outputted separately as the basic information and the additional information in this manner, information of a small information amount and a large information amount may be prepared to select and output one of them according to the driving load. Specifically, the information including only the content of the basic information shown inFIG.3is prepared as the information having a small information amount, and the information including the content of the basic information and the additional information shown inFIG.3is prepared as the information having a large information amount. Then, the voice guidance device1or1A outputs the information of the small information amount when the driving load is large, and outputs the information of the large information amount when the driving load is small.

In the above embodiments, the voice guidance device1mainly determines the driving load based on whether the vehicle Ve is traveling or parking/stopping. Instead, the voice guidance device1may determine the driving load based on the shape of the road on which the vehicle Ve travels. In this case, the voice guidance device1determines that the driving load is large if the road shape to be traveled is complex, and determines that the driving load is small if the road shape is simple. Further, the voice guidance device1may determine the driving load based on the need for lane change of the vehicle Ve. In this case, the voice guidance device1may determine that the driving load is large when the lane change is necessary, and may determine that the driving load is small when the lane change is not necessary. Further, the voice guidance device1may determine the driving load based on the traffic conditions around the vehicle Ve. In this case, the voice guidance device1may determine that the driving load is large if the area around the vehicle Ve is congested, and may determine that the driving load is small if the area around the vehicle Ve is not congested. Furthermore, the voice guidance device1may determine the driving load based on the driver's biometric information. In this case, the voice guidance device1detects the driver's heart rate and/or the perspiration state from the steering or the like. Then, the voice guidance device1may determine that the driving load is large when the driver is in an excited state, and may determine that the driving load is small when the driver is calm.

In the above embodiments, the information request is made by a voice input. However, the information request may be made, for example, by a predetermined information request button of hardware or software.

In the embodiments described above, the program may be stored using various types of non-transitory computer-readable medium and can be supplied to a control unit or the like that is a computer. The non-transitory computer-readable medium includes a storage medium (tangible storage medium) of various types of entities. Examples of the non-transitory computer-readable medium include a magnetic storage medium (e.g., a flexible disk, a magnetic tape, a hard disk drive), a magnetooptical storage medium (e.g., a magnetooptical disk), a CD-ROM (Read Only Memory), a CD-R, a CD-R/W, a solid-state memory (e.g., a mask ROM, a PROM (Programmable ROM), an EPROM (an Erasable PROM, a flash ROM, a RAM (Random Access Memory)).

While the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various changes that can be understood by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention can be made in the configuration and details of the present invention. In other words, it is needless to say that the present invention includes various modifications and modifications that could be made by a person skilled in the art according to the entire disclosure, including the scope of the claims, and the technical philosophy. In addition, each disclosure of the above-mentioned patent documents, etc. cited shall be incorporated with reference to this document.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMBERS