JP2006012081A - Content output device, navigation device, content output program and content output method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique capable of preventing the same voice guidance from being repeated many times for the same sightseeing point. <P>SOLUTION: The content output device includes a means acquiring the present position, and an output means performing output of a content for a proximal point which is in a predetermined proximal position to the present position of each object point, based on a database storing information for position and information for outputting content of each object point. The information for content of each object point is recorded as a plurality of selective elements, and selection information which is referred to for determining whether the selection is permitted or not for each selective element is recorded in the database. This device further comprises an output selection means (steps 53-55) selecting an selective element to be outputted as the content from the selective elements related to the proximity point. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a content output device, a navigation device, a content output program, and a content output method for outputting predetermined content at a proximity point at a predetermined proximity position with respect to the current position.

Conventionally, it is automatically detected that a certain distance has been approached for a type of facility or sightseeing point set by the user in advance, and the presence and details of the facility or sightseeing point are guided by voice or image. A navigation device capable of performing the above has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-183153 A

  However, according to the above-described conventional technology, the voice guidance having the same content is repeated each time the same type of sightseeing point is approached. For this reason, if a set type of sightseeing point exists on a route that passes many times, unnecessary voice guidance is performed every time the vicinity is passed.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of preventing the same voice guidance from being repeatedly performed for the same sightseeing point in view of the problems of the prior art.

  1st invention is based on the database which recorded the information regarding the position regarding the means for acquiring a present position, and the information about the content about each target point, and the contents for output. The present invention relates to a content output apparatus including an output unit that outputs corresponding content for a proximity point at a position. In order to achieve the above object, in this apparatus, information on the contents of each target point is recorded as a plurality of selection elements, and the database determines whether or not the selection is permitted for each selection element. Selection information to be referred to is recorded, and the content output device includes an output selection unit that selects, based on the selection information, a selection element related to the proximity point to be output as content. It is characterized by that.

  Here, as a means for acquiring the current position, for example, a means using a GPS (Global Positioning System) or an inertial navigation device is applicable. For example, the content includes tourist guidance by voice or image display, warning, explanation, or the like. The target points include, for example, points that should be explained regarding various facilities during driving, exhibits in a museum, and points that should issue a warning that it is a dangerous area. As proximity points, for example, one or two or more target points within a predetermined distance from the current position, those closest to the current position among those target points, or predetermined from a set route among these target points Those within the distance are applicable. For example, output means using a speaker or a display is applicable. Examples of the content output device include a device constituting a part of a car navigation system, a device realized by various mobile devices, and a device realized as a guidance device carried by a viewer in a museum.

  In this configuration, when the device enters the proximity position of a certain target point, or when there is a content output request when the device is already in the proximity position of the target point, the target point is changed accordingly. For this, the corresponding content is output. At this time, one to be output as content is selected from the selection elements for the proximity points based on the selection information. Therefore, for example, for each selection element, the time when the selection element was last output is recorded as selection information, and selection as a content is not permitted for a selection element for which a predetermined time has not elapsed since that time. By determining the fact and excluding it from the selection target, it is possible to prevent the output of the content by the same selection element from being repeated many times for the same point. That is, by appropriately setting the selection information for each selection element, it is possible to arbitrarily control the content of the content output for each proximity point according to the situation.

  The content output apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention is based on a database in which information on a position and information on contents for output are recorded for each target point, and a current position is acquired from the target position. Output means for outputting the corresponding content at a proximity point at a predetermined proximity position. In the database, determination information for determining whether or not output of the corresponding content is permitted for each target point is recorded. The content output device includes means for determining whether to allow content output for proximity points based on determination information. As the information for determination, information on the time zone, the traveling direction of the device, the weather, or the season when the output of content is permitted or not permitted for each target point is used. The determination means determines whether the output is permitted based on this information and the current time corresponding to the information, the traveling direction of the apparatus, the weather, or the season.

  In this configuration, when the device enters the proximity position of a certain target point, or when there is a content output request when the device is already in the proximity position of the target point, the target point is changed accordingly. The content corresponding to this point is output. At that time, based on each determination information of the point, it is determined whether or not content output is permitted for the point. For example, as information for determination, information on a time zone is used, and when the current time is not included in the time zone, the content of the proximity point can be prevented from being output. Therefore, by appropriately setting the value of each determination information for each target point, whether or not the content can be output for each target point can be arbitrarily controlled according to the situation.

  In the content output apparatus according to the third aspect, in the first aspect, the database records determination information for determining whether or not content output is permitted for each target point. The content output device includes means for determining whether to allow content output for proximity points based on determination information. As the information for determination, information on the time zone, the traveling direction of the device, the weather, or the season when the output of content is permitted or not permitted for each target point is used. The determination means determines whether the output is permitted based on this information and the current time corresponding to the information, the traveling direction of the apparatus, the weather, or the season.

  In the content output apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first or third aspect, the selection information is information on a time when the output as the last of each selection element is performed. In this case, the output selection unit selects a selection element to be output as content based on the time information and the current time for the selection element related to the proximity point.

  In the content output device according to the fifth invention, in the first, third, or fourth invention, the selection information is the direction or time of the device when each selection element is allowed or not allowed to be selected. Information about the belt. In this case, the output selection means selects a selection element to be used for outputting content based on this information and the current traveling direction or current time of the apparatus.

  In the content output device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first or third to fifth aspects of the invention, the selection information is information relating to a user's preference for each selection element. In this case, the output selection means selects a selection element to be output as the content based on this information and the setting content related to the user's preference set corresponding to this information. Examples of the user preference information include a genre of a selected element and an output time required from the start to the end of output. In this case, the setting content related to the user's preference corresponds to, for example, one or more desired genres set by the user and a desired output time.

  A content output device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the first or third to sixth aspects of the invention, which is provided on the vehicle and includes means for detecting the speed of the vehicle. The information for selection is information regarding the time required from the start to the end of output as content for each selection element. The output selection means outputs the content of the selection element related to the proximity point based on the information on the time and the arrival time to the proximity point obtained based on the current position, the current vehicle speed, and the position of the proximity point. Select the selection element to be selected.

  A content output device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the first or third to seventh aspects of the invention, which is equipped with a means for detecting the speed of the vehicle. The information for selection includes information regarding the time required from the start to the end of output as content for each selected element. Then, the content output device, when outputting as content for each selected element, arrives at the proximity point obtained based on the information on the time, the current position, the current vehicle speed, and the position of the proximity point. And a means for adjusting the output start position.

  A content output device according to a ninth invention is the content output device according to any one of the first or third to eighth inventions, wherein the content output device constitutes a part of a navigation device mounted on the vehicle, and the vehicle driver And a means for recording, as selection information, information relating to the driver when each selection element is output as content. In this case, the output selection means selects the selection element to be output as content from among the selection elements for the proximity point based on the information on the driver at the time of output and the determination result for the current driver by the determination means. I do.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect, the content output device forms part of a navigation device mounted on the vehicle, and includes means for determining the presence or absence of a passenger in the vehicle. In this case, when it is determined that there is currently a passenger, the output selection means selects a selection element to be output as content without being based on the time information and the current time.

  The navigation device according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is based on a database in which information on a position and information on a content for audio output are recorded for each target point, and the current position is acquired. Output means for outputting the corresponding content at a proximity point at a predetermined proximity position, means for voice guidance for the intersection at a predetermined distance before the intersection on the set guidance route, and the proximity point Means for adjusting the temporal relationship between the content output timing and the guidance timing regarding the intersection.

  In this configuration, when the device enters the proximity position of a certain target point, or when there is a content output request when the device is already in the proximity position of the target point, the target point is changed accordingly. The corresponding content is output for that point. On the other hand, when a guidance route is set, when a predetermined distance is reached before an intersection on the route, guidance regarding the intersection is output. At that time, depending on the positional relationship between the proximity point and the intersection, the output timing of the content and the output timing of the intersection guidance may overlap, which may hinder information transmission by each output. However, according to the eleventh aspect of the invention, the temporal relationship between the content output timing for the proximity point and the guidance timing for the intersection is adjusted. By adjusting the relationship, it is possible to avoid inconvenience due to such overlapping of output timings.

  In the navigation device according to the twelfth invention, in the eleventh invention, information relating to the content of each target point is recorded as a plurality of selection elements, and the output of each selection element is finally performed as content. The time information is recorded. The navigation device includes an output selection unit that selects, based on the time information on the selection element related to the proximity point and the current time, the one to be output as the content from the selection elements related to the proximity point.

  In the navigation device according to the thirteenth invention, in the eleventh or twelfth invention, the information regarding the content of each target point is recorded as a plurality of selection elements, and the selection of each selection element is permitted in the database. Alternatively, information regarding the traveling direction of the apparatus when not permitted is recorded. The navigation device selects an output to be output as content from the selection elements related to the proximity point based on the information related to the travel direction regarding the selection element related to the proximity point and the travel direction of the device at the proximity point. Have

  In the navigation device according to the fourteenth aspect of the invention, in any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, information relating to the content of each target point is recorded as a plurality of selection elements. Information about the weather when selection is allowed or not allowed is recorded. The navigation device outputs as content from the selection elements related to the proximity point based on the weather information about the selection element related to the proximity point and the weather at the proximity point at the time of reaching the current or proximity point. Output selection means for selecting.

  In the navigation device according to the fifteenth invention, in any one of the eleventh to fourteenth inventions, the information relating to the content of each target point is recorded as a plurality of selection elements, Information regarding time zones when selection is allowed or not allowed is recorded. The navigation device includes an output selection unit that selects information to be output as content from among the selection elements related to the proximity point based on the information regarding the time zone regarding the selection element related to the proximity point and the arrival time at the proximity point. Have.

  In the navigation device according to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifteenth aspects, information about each content is recorded as a plurality of selection elements, and the database relates to user preferences for each selection element. Information is described. In this case, the output selecting means selects the content from the selection elements related to the proximity point based on the preference information regarding the selection element related to the proximity point and the setting content related to the user's preference set corresponding to the preference information. Output selection means for selecting what is to be output.

  A content output program according to a seventeenth aspect of the invention is based on a database in which information about a position and information about contents for output is recorded for each target point. Among these, the proximity point located at a predetermined proximity position with respect to the current position is caused to function as output means for outputting content. Information regarding each content is recorded as a plurality of selection elements, and information for selection that is referred to in order to determine whether or not to allow the selection of each selection element is recorded in the database. The content output program causes the computer to function as output selection means for selecting what is output as content from among the selection elements related to the proximity points based on the selection information.

  A content output method according to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention is based on a procedure in which a computer acquires a current position, and a computer records information on a position and information on contents for output for each target point. Among these, a procedure for outputting content for a proximity point at a predetermined proximity position with respect to the current position is provided. Information regarding each content is recorded as a plurality of selection elements, and information for selection that is referred to in order to determine whether or not to allow the selection of each selection element is recorded in the database. Then, the computer includes a procedure for selecting, based on the selection information, one to be output as content from among the selection elements related to the proximity points.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to arbitrarily control whether or not to allow content output and selection of a selection element to be output as content for the proximity point according to various situations. In addition, it is possible to avoid inconvenience due to overlapping of the content output timing for the proximity point and the guidance timing for the intersection.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a car navigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This system is based on information from a map recording medium 1 that records map information, a position detection unit 2 that detects the current position using GPS or an inertial navigation device, information from the map recording medium 1 and the position detection unit 2, and the like. The navigation processing unit 3 that performs processing, the function of performing input / output by voice, the agent unit 4 that exchanges input / output information with the navigation processing unit 3, and the agent unit 4 between the external server 6 and the like And a communication unit 5 for performing wireless communication. The agent unit 4 performs a voice recognition process on the voice signal input via the microphone, determines a question to the user, a control content for the navigation processing unit 3 based on the recognized word, and the like. For this purpose, voice output and control are performed. In response to an instruction from the agent unit 4, the navigation processing unit 3 performs processing such as guiding a travel route to a destination while displaying a map, a current position, and the like on a display.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the agent unit 4. The agent unit 4 has a voice input unit 21 that acquires a digital voice signal via a microphone or the like based on the utterance, a voice recognition unit 22 that recognizes a word based on the voice signal from the voice input unit 21, and among the recognized words, A natural language analysis unit 23 for extracting a predetermined text, an agent processing unit 24 for controlling questions to the user based on the extracted word, and synthesizing sentence data supplied from the agent processing unit 24 into a digital voice signal. A voice synthesis processing unit 25 and a voice output unit 26 that D / A converts a voice signal from the voice synthesis processing unit 25 and further converts the voice signal into a sound wave signal by a speaker and outputs the sound wave signal.

  The agent processing unit 24 includes a word database indicating in which category various words are grouped, identifies the category to which the word belongs based on the keyword from the natural language analysis unit 23, and according to the category Ask questions. For example, if the keywords “stomach” and “sui” are supplied from the natural language analysis unit 23, since both belong to the meal category, the sentence “go to meal?” Is sent to the speech synthesis processing unit 25. Supply. In addition, the agent processing unit 24 has a database relating to tourist information points for which tourist information is to be provided.

  FIG. 3 illustrates a part of this database (hereinafter referred to as “guidance point table”). In each record of the guide point table, for each target tourist guide point, the location information indicating the position in latitude and longitude is recorded in the column of “position” item, and in addition to performing the tourist guide Conditions for recognition are recorded in the items “direction of travel”, “weather”, “time zone”, and “season”.

  The data of the “position” item is used to determine whether each tourist information point is a tourist information point (hereinafter referred to as “proximity tourist information point”) existing in a predetermined proximity position with respect to the current position. It is done. For example, based on the latitude and longitude output by the position detection unit 2 and the data of the “position” item of each tourist guide point, a tourist guide point whose distance between them is equal to or less than a predetermined value is determined as a proximity tourist guide point. The It is an indispensable requirement for tourist information to be provided for the tourist information point. Therefore, unlike the other items, the item “position” must be present for each tourist information point. For items that are not proximity tourist information points, tourist information is not provided even if the data of other items other than the “position” allow the tourist information to be provided.

  In the “traveling direction” item, “up”, “down” or “up / down” is recorded. This means that, when the traveling direction of the vehicle on which the system is mounted coincides with each other, the tourist guidance for the matching tourist guidance point is allowed. For example, in the example of FIG. 3, focusing only on the “traveling direction” item, when the vehicle travels in the downward direction, the tourist information point “△ old tomb” Since the direction of travel does not match the data “up”, it is not allowed to provide tourist guidance even if the tourist guidance point is in a close position. However, as for “OO Tower” and “△ Pool”, tourist guidance is allowed both in the up and down directions, so that tourist guidance is provided when those tourist guidance points exist in close proximity. The traveling direction of the vehicle up or down can be obtained based on the map information of the map recording medium 1 and the change in the current position output by the position detection unit 2.

  In the item “weather”, “all”, “sunny”, or “rain” is recorded. It is allowed to provide tourist guidance for a tourist guidance point where the data of this item matches the current weather. For tourist information points where “all” is recorded, it is allowed to provide tourist information regardless of the current weather conditions. In the “time zone” item, information on a time zone in which sightseeing guidance is permitted is recorded. “All” means that tourist guidance is allowed at all times. In the example of FIG. 3, it is allowed to provide tourist information for the tourist information point “OO Tower” at all times, and for “△ Burial Mound”, it is only tourist from 6 am to 6 pm Guidance is allowed. In the “season” item, information on a season in which sightseeing guidance is permitted is recorded. “All” means that tourist guidance is permitted throughout the season. The data of these items can be used as judgment information weighted individually or appropriately in combination.

  The content of the tourism guide for each tourist guide point in the guide point table is composed of a plurality of selection elements that can be selectively output, and each database portion (hereinafter referred to as “content table”) includes Selection information for determining whether or not a selection element can be selected and used as a tourism guide is recorded.

  FIG. 4 illustrates the contents of this content table. In the table shown in the figure, for the tourist information point “OO tower”, records of each selection element that selectively constitutes the tourist information are recorded using “guide 1” to “guide 7” as indexes. As items of information for selection in each record, “time”, “genre”, “time zone”, and “traveling direction” are provided. The contents of each selected element are recorded in the “content” item column as guide voice data. The data of each item of “traveling direction”, “weather”, and “time zone” in the database portion of FIG. 3 is used to determine whether or not to provide tourist guidance for the tourist guidance point that is set as the proximity tourist guidance point. The data of each item of “time”, “genre”, “time zone”, and “direction of travel” in the database portion of FIG. About guidance point, it is used in order to determine which sightseeing guidance should be used among the contents of each sightseeing guidance prescribed | regulated as data of a "content" item.

  In the “time” item column, the time required from the output start to the end when the contents of each selection element are output as a sightseeing guide is recorded. This time is used, for example, in order to preferentially select the selection element having the closest one compared with the desired time from the start to the end of the sightseeing guide set by the user. In the example of FIG. 4, if the desired time is 9 seconds, the data of the “content” item in the record of the guide 3 having the value “10 seconds” of the “time” item closest to this is preferentially output as a sightseeing guide. Will be.

  In the “genre” item column, the genre of the tourist information of each selected element is recorded as “appearance”, “history”, “gourmet”, and the like. That is, the contents of the sightseeing guide are classified into appearance guidance, historical guidance, gourmet guidance, and the like, and the corresponding classification is recorded in the “genre” item. The contents of the items “time zone” and “traveling direction” have the same meaning as in the case of the “time zone” and “traveling direction” items in the guide point table of FIG.

  Each selection information in the content table can be used alone or in combination, and can be used to select each selection element. For example, in the example of FIG. 4, the items “time zone” and “direction of travel” are always subject to determination, and the items “time” and “genre” are categorized as desired by the user or the tourist guide. It can be used as a determination element only when the time required for setting is set. In this case, for example, if the desired sightseeing guide genre is set to “gourmet”, the current time is 5:00 pm, and the current traveling direction of the vehicle is an upward direction, The data of the item is selected and output as the tourist guide.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of sightseeing guide processing by the agent processing unit 24. This tourist information processing is performed at regular intervals, and the tourist information is provided according to the setting by the user that the tourist information should be provided, and the same content as the tourist information previously provided is repeatedly output as the tourist information. I try to prevent it. However, each record of the content table is provided with an item “final guidance date and time” for recording the date and time when voice guidance was performed using the data of the “content” item of the record.

  When the sightseeing guidance process is started, first, in step 51, it is determined whether or not the tourist guidance is set. If it is determined that it is not set, the sightseeing guide process is terminated. If it is determined that it is set, it is determined in step 52 whether or not there is a nearby tourist information point for which tourist information is to be provided. This determination is performed by searching the guide point table for sightseeing guide points that exist within a predetermined distance from the current position based on the data of the “position” item in the guide point table. When such a close sightseeing guide point cannot be searched, it is determined that there is no close sightseeing guide point, and the sightseeing guide processing is terminated. Here, as in the case of the prior art, only the data of the “position” item in the guide point table is referred to detect the proximity sightseeing guide point, but other items in the guide point table are also referred to. An example of referring to data will be described later with reference to FIG.

  When the proximity tourist information point can be searched, the guide voice data to be used is selected from the content table of the proximity tourist information point, and the tourist guidance is performed using this. However, here, among the data of the “content” item of each record in the content table, the data of the “content” item that is not output within a predetermined period is selected as the data for the guide voice. That is, in step 53, one record is read from the content table. Next, in step 54, it is determined whether or not all records have been read and there is no record to be read. If it is determined that the reading has been completed, the tourist guidance process is terminated. If it is determined that it has not been completed, it is determined in step 55 whether or not the date and time indicated by the “final guidance date and time” item of the read record is within a predetermined period from the current time. If it is determined that it is not within the predetermined period, the process returns to step 53 to read the next record. If it is determined that the current time is within the predetermined period, sightseeing guidance is provided in step 56.

  Sightseeing guidance is performed by supplying data of the “content” item in the record read last to the speech synthesis processing unit 25. At this time, the data of the “last guidance date” item in the record is rewritten to the current time. By repeating the above tourist guidance processing at predetermined time intervals, each tourist guidance point that sequentially enters the proximity position as the vehicle progresses has the same content as the tourist guidance performed within the past predetermined period. Sightseeing guidance can be performed while preventing repeated guidance.

  FIG. 6 shows another example of sightseeing guide processing by the agent processing unit 24, in which sightseeing guidance corresponding to time zones, for example, different sightseeing guidance is provided at day and night. This tourist guidance process is performed in the same procedure as in FIG. 5 except that the data of the “time zone” item is used instead of the data of the “final guidance date” item as the selection information. That is, Steps 61 to 64 and 66 are the same as Steps 51 to 54 and 56 in FIG. 5, and only Step 65 is different. That is, in step 65, it is determined whether or not the current time is included in the time zone indicated by the data of the “time zone” item in the record read in step 63. If it is determined that it is included, the “content” item data of the record is sent to the speech synthesis processing unit 25 to provide sightseeing guidance. By performing this sightseeing guidance process at predetermined time intervals, it is possible to provide tourist guidance according to the time zone for each tourist guidance point that sequentially enters the proximity position as the vehicle travels.

  FIG. 7 shows a tourist guidance process in which tourist guidance according to the weather is performed. However, for each record in the content table for each tourist information point, information on the weather in which the information about the weather when the tourist information is permitted using the data of the “content” item of the record is recorded. It is assumed that an item is provided. The recorded data and their meanings are the same as in the “weather” item in the guide point table of FIG.

  This sightseeing guide process is performed in the same procedure as in FIG. 6 except that “weather” item data is used as selection information instead of “time zone” item data. That is, only the processing of steps 73 and 76 is different from the processing of FIG. 6, and the processing of the other steps 71, 72, 74, 75, and 77 is the same as the processing of steps 61 to 64 and 66 of FIG. That is, in step 76, it is determined whether or not the weather indicated by the “weather” item data in the record read in step 74 matches the current weather information acquired in step 73. If it is determined that they match, the tour guide is provided by sending the data of the “content” item of the record to the speech synthesis processing unit 25. By performing this tourist guidance process at predetermined time intervals, it is possible to provide tourist guidance according to the weather for each tourist guidance point that sequentially enters the proximity position as the vehicle advances.

  FIG. 8 shows a tourist guidance process in which the content of the tourist guidance is changed according to the arrival time to the tourist guidance point.

  This sightseeing guide process is performed in the same procedure as in FIG. 7 except that the data of the “time” item in the content table is used as the selection information instead of the data of the “weather” item. That is, only the processes of steps 83 and 86 are different from the process of FIG. 7, and the other steps 81, 82, 84, 85, and 87 are the same as steps 71, 72, 74, 75, and 77 of FIG. That is, in step 83, the arrival time from the current position to the nearby tourist information point is calculated based on the current vehicle speed, the current position, and the position of the nearby tourist information point. The current vehicle speed can be obtained by a vehicle speed pulse. In step 86, it is determined whether or not this arrival time is equal to or shorter than the output time indicated by the data of the “time” item in the record read in step 84. If it is determined that the time is not less than the output time, it is possible to complete the guidance using the data of the “content” item of the record within the arrival time. Give guidance.

  At the time when the guide setting is performed by the user, it is already very close to the nearby tourist information point, and there may be a short arrival time. In addition, since the vehicle speed is high, the arrival time from the point where the proximity tourist information point is detected for the first time to the point may be short. Even in such a case, according to this tourist guidance process, the data of the “content” item that can provide the tourist guidance within the short arrival time is selected, and the tourist guidance is provided within the arrival time using this data. Can do. In this case, even if the current position is the same, the arrival time to the nearby tourist information point is different between a traffic jam and a normal time, so the contents of the tourist guidance to be performed may be different.

  In this process, when it is determined that the arrival time is equal to or shorter than the output time, the data of the “content” item of the record is not used. It is also possible to detect the proximity tourist information point and adjust the start position of the tourist information. That is, in the proximity tourist information point detection process (step 82), the proximity tourist information point is detected from a predetermined position sufficiently away. Next, the data used for the tourist guidance is determined for the point regardless of the output time. Next, based on the output time and the arrival time to the proximity tourist information point at each travel position, a sightseeing information start point suitable for the output time is determined. Then, the tourist guidance is started when the tourist guidance start point is reached. According to this, for example, it is possible to always complete the output of the tourist guide at the time when the closest tourist guide point is reached.

  Also, if you are searching for a route and there is an intersection where you should perform an intersection guide near the nearby tourist information point, and there is a possibility that both guides will overlap in time, the point to start the intersection guide The start point of the tour guide may be adjusted so that the output of the tour guide for the nearby tour guide point is completed before the point or the data used for the tour guide may be selected.

  In the examples of FIGS. 5 to 8 described above, the content of the tourist guide is selected using the content table for the proximity tourist guide point, but the tourist guide is not limited using the guide point table. Absent. Therefore, next, an example of a sightseeing guide process for restricting whether or not to perform sightseeing guidance using the guidance point table for the proximity sightseeing guidance points will be described.

  FIG. 9 shows a sightseeing guide process using a guide point table and allowing or not allowing tourist guidance according to the time zone. When the tourist guidance process is started, first, in step 91, it is determined whether or not the tourist guidance is set. If it is determined that it is not set, the sightseeing guide process is terminated. If it is determined that it is set, it is determined in step 92 whether or not there is a nearby tourist information point for which tourist information is to be provided. This determination is performed by searching a sightseeing guide point that exists within a predetermined distance from the current position from the guide point table. If the tourist information point existing within the predetermined distance cannot be searched, the tourist information processing is terminated assuming that the adjacent tourist information point does not exist.

  When the proximity tourist information point can be searched, in step 93, it is determined whether or not the current time is included in the time zone indicated by the data of the “time zone” item of the record of the proximity tourist information point in the guidance point table. judge. If it is determined that it is not included, the tourist information processing is terminated. If it is determined that the information is included, in steps 94 to 97, the guide voice data is selected from the content table for the proximity tourist guidance point, and the tourist guidance is performed using this. Therefore, even if it is a proximity tourist information point, the tourist information is not provided unless the current time is included in the time zone permitted by it.

  In step 94, one record is read from the content table of the proximity tourist information points. Next, in step 95, it is determined whether or not all records have been read and there is no record to be read. If it is determined that the reading has been completed, the tourist guidance process is terminated. If it is determined that the processing has not been completed, the same determination processing as the processing of steps 55, 65, 76, and 86 in the processing of FIGS.

  That is, whether or not the date and time indicated by the “last guidance date and time” item of the read record is within a predetermined period from the current time, the current time is indicated by the data of the “time zone” item of the read record Whether or not the time is included, whether or not the weather indicated by the data of the “weather” item in the read record matches the current weather information, or the arrival time is “time” in the record read in step 84 It is determined whether or not the output time is equal to or shorter than the output time indicated by the item data. Depending on these determination results, the next record is read (step 94) or the data of the “content” item of the read record is used in step 97 as in the case of the processing of FIGS. Guidance is provided, and the sightseeing guidance process is terminated.

  According to this, since the guide point table is used and the tourist guide is allowed or not allowed according to the time zone, the tourist guide is provided only for the time zone where the tourist guide is allowed for each nearby tourist guide point. It can be carried out. For example, it is possible to control so as not to provide tourist guidance for tourist guidance points that are not visible at night.

  FIG. 10 shows an adjustment process for setting the start point and the content of the tourist guide in advance so that the intersection guide and the tourist guide do not overlap with each other when the route is set. First, in steps 101 and 102, it is determined whether or not a setting for performing route setting and sightseeing guidance has been made. If it is determined that it is not set, the adjustment process is terminated. If it is determined that both are set, in step 103, the sightseeing guide points existing within a predetermined distance from the set route are searched from the guide point table.

  Next, in step 104, for each searched tourist information point, a record to be used for tourist information among the records in the content table is determined. At this time, if the desired guidance time is set by the user, the record having the time indicated by the data of the “time” item closest to the set time is preferentially selected. At that time, based on the data of the above-mentioned “final guidance date and time” item, the record having the “content” item output as the tourist guidance within the past predetermined period may be excluded. This process is the same as in step 55 of FIG.

  In determining the use record in step 104, the traveling direction and weather at each searched tourist information point, the arrival time at each searched tourist information point, the user's preference regarding the guidance content, and the like are further taken into consideration. Also good. When considering the traveling direction, first, whether the traveling direction of the vehicle when passing the tourist information point is “up” or “down” is acquired based on the set route or the like. Next, based on the acquired traveling direction, the data in the “traveling direction” item is referred to among the records in the content table for the tourist guide point, and the matching one is selected. In consideration of this, the usage record can be determined.

  When considering the weather, first, the time to reach the tourist information point is calculated. This arrival time is calculated based on the link information included in the map information, and the required time for each link from the current position to the tourist information point based on the travel speed determined by the link length and the road type. It can be obtained by adding the calculated time required for each link. Next, information related to the weather forecast at the tourist information point at the arrival time, for example, “sunny” or “rain” is acquired. This forecast information can be acquired via the Internet etc. with the mobile phone connected to the system, for example. Next, based on this forecast information, the data of the “weather” item is referred to among the records in the content table for the tourist guide point, and the appropriate one is selected. In consideration of this, the usage record can be determined. The content of the “weather” item is the same as the “weather” item in the guide point table of FIG. 3, for example.

  When considering the time at the tourist information point, first, similarly, the time to reach the tourist information point is calculated. Next, among the records in the content table for the tourist information point, the data of the “time zone” item is referred to and a record having data including the calculated arrival time is selected. In consideration of this, the usage record can be determined. For example, if the content table for the tourist guide point is the same as that shown in FIG. 4 and the calculated arrival time is 10:00 am, the records of “Guide 5” and “Guide 7” are selected. Are selected from other records.

  In addition, when the use record is determined in consideration of the weather and arrival time at the tourist information point in this way, the weather and arrival time obtained first are different from the weather and arrival time when the tourist information point is actually reached. There is a case. Therefore, it is also possible to acquire the weather and the arrival time obtained first before reaching the tourist information point and re-determine the use record based on this.

  When considering user preferences, it is first determined whether or not information about user preferences regarding the content of guidance is set. When the preference information is not set, the use record considering the preference is not selected. As the preference information, for example, information on the user's favorite genre and output time set corresponding to “genre” and “time” in the table of FIG. 4 is applicable. If preference information is set, based on the preference information, refer to items related to preference information, for example, items of “genre” and “time”, from the content table for the tourist information point, and find a suitable record. select. Thereby, a use record can be determined. For example, if the content table for the tourist information point is the same as that shown in FIG. 4, “appearance” is set for “genre” and “20 seconds” is set for “time” as preference information. Then, the record “Guide 7” is selected.

  Next, in step 105, for each of the searched tourist information points, the guidance start point is set so that the intersection information performed at a predetermined distance before each intersection turning on the set route and the tourist information do not overlap in timing. Set up. In other words, in consideration of the data of the “time” item in each record in the content table for each searched tourist guide point, and when there is a possibility that the tourist guide overlaps with the intersection guide, A point at a predetermined distance in front is set as the guidance start point of the tourist information. This completes the adjustment process.

  FIG. 11 illustrates the guidance start point setting process in step 105. The route is set as indicated by the arrows 111 and 112, and the sightseeing guide point 113 is searched as being within a predetermined distance from the set route, and the guide 5 in FIG. 4 is determined as a record to be used. It is assumed that At this time, for the intersection 114, when the vehicle reaches the intersection guidance start point 115 before the predetermined distance a, for example, the output of the intersection guidance by voice such as “Please turn right at the intersection of × m ahead” is started. Further, if there is no treatment, at the point 116 at a predetermined distance b from the tourist information point 113, the tourist information "Oto tower top ..." of the guide 5 for the tourist information point 113 is started. In this case, when there is a possibility that 20 seconds indicated by the data of the “time” item of the guide 5 will elapse before the vehicle reaches the intersection guidance start point 115 from the point 116, the point 117 without such a fear is selected. Set as the adjusted tourist information start point.

  When this setting process is completed, the agent processing unit 24 then supplies the speech synthesis processing unit 25 with the contents of the tourism guide set for each point each time the set start point of each tour guide is reached. By doing so, tourist information is provided. Thereby, the sightseeing guidance about the sightseeing guidance points near the set route is performed without overlapping with the intersection guidance.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 5 described above, it is determined whether or not each record in the content table for the proximity tourist information point has been used for sightseeing information within the past predetermined period (step 55). The records determined to have been used within a predetermined period of time are not used. In this case, a means for determining the presence / absence of a passenger in the vehicle is further provided, and when it is determined that there is currently a passenger, the use of each record is permitted regardless of the determination result of step 55 above. Good.

  In this case, the presence / absence of a passenger can be determined based on a voice print that can be acquired when the voice recognition unit 22 performs voice recognition on the voice of the passenger. For example, a voice print of a person who has made a voice input via the voice input unit 21 is recorded, and if two or more different voice prints exist within one activation time of the system, a passenger is present. Then it can be determined. In addition, when the mobile phone can be connected for the system to connect to the Internet, etc., it is possible to determine by the number. For example, when a mobile phone with a different number is connected within one activation time of the system, it can be determined that a passenger is present.

  Although not particularly mentioned in the above, a means for discriminating the driver of the vehicle is provided, and further, the driver when using each record in the content table for each tourist guide point for the tourist guide. Information is recorded in the “Driver Information” field as further determination information for each record, and when determining whether each record can be used for sightseeing guidance, the “Driver Information” item Based on the data, it may be determined whether or not the tourist driver has output the tourist guidance in the past, and the determination result may be taken into consideration. As information on the driver recorded in the column of “driver information”, information on the above-mentioned voice print about the driver and information on the mobile phone number can be used. The driver can be identified by, for example, registering a driver's voiceprint or mobile phone number in advance, and whether or not the acquired voiceprint or mobile phone number matches the registered one at the time of determination. .

  In the examples of FIGS. 5 to 8 described above, as the information for determining whether or not the use of each record in the content table is permitted, “final guidance date”, “time zone”, “weather”, “ Although the example using the “time” data is shown, the present invention is not limited to this, and information such as “genre” and “traveling direction” as illustrated in FIG. 4 is used, or information of these items is arbitrarily combined and weighted. It may be used as a requirement.

  In the example of FIG. 9 described above, an example is shown in which the data of the “time zone” item is used as the determination information used for determining whether or not to perform the tourist guidance for the proximity tourist guidance point (step 93). Not limited to this, information such as “traveling direction”, “weather”, and “season” as illustrated in FIG. 3 may be used. Also in this case, information of these items may be arbitrarily combined in any number and used as a weighted determination element.

  A database of tables as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 may be provided in the server 6. In this case, the information recorded in the database may be provided by a travel agency or the like.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the car navigation system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the agent part in the system of FIG. It is a figure which illustrates the content of a part of database in the system of FIG. It is a figure which illustrates the content of the database part in which the content of the tourist guidance about each tourist guidance point of FIG. 3 is recorded. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the sightseeing guidance process by the agent process part in the system of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows another example of the sightseeing guidance process by the agent process part in the system of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the sightseeing guidance process which performed the sightseeing guidance according to the weather by the agent process part in the system of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the sightseeing guidance process which changed the content of the sightseeing guidance according to the arrival time to the sightseeing guidance point by the agent process part in the system of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the sightseeing guidance process which permitted or did not permit sightseeing guidance according to the time slot | zone by the agent process part in the system of FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an adjustment process for setting a starting point and contents of a sightseeing guide in advance when a route is set by an agent processing unit in the system of FIG. It is a figure which illustrates the setting process of the guidance start point in the process of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1: map recording medium, 2: position detection unit, 3: navigation processing unit, 4: agent unit, 5: communication unit, 6: server, 21: voice input unit, 22: voice recognition unit, 23: natural language analysis unit , 24: agent processing unit, 25: speech synthesis processing unit, 26: voice output unit, 111, 112: arrow, 113: sightseeing guide point, 114: intersection, 115: intersection guidance start point, 116: point, 117: adjustment Tourist information starting point.

Claims (18)

Means for obtaining the current position;
For each target point, based on a database in which information about the position and information about the content for output is recorded, an output that outputs the content for a proximity point at a predetermined proximity position to the current position among the target points A content output apparatus comprising:
Information about the content of each target point is recorded as multiple selection elements,
In the database, for each selection element, selection information referred to for determining whether or not to allow the selection is recorded,
The content output apparatus further comprises an output selection unit that selects, based on the selection information, a selection element related to the proximity point to be output as the content. Means for obtaining the current position;
For each target point, based on a database in which information on the position and information on the content for output is recorded, an output for outputting the content for a proximity point at a predetermined proximity position to the current position among the target points A content output apparatus comprising:
In the database, for each target point, determination information for determining whether or not to allow the output of the content is recorded,
The content output device includes means for determining whether to allow the output of the content based on the determination information for the proximity point,
The information for determination is information on a time zone, an advancing direction of the device, weather, or season when the output of the content is allowed or not allowed for each target point,
The content output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination means determines whether or not the output is permitted based on the information, a current time corresponding to the information, a traveling direction of the apparatus, a weather, or a season. In the database, for each target point, determination information for determining whether or not to allow the output of the content is recorded,
The content output device includes means for determining whether to allow the output of the content based on the determination information for the proximity point,
The information for determination is information on a time zone, an advancing direction of the device, weather, or season when the output of the content is allowed or not allowed for each target point,
2. The determination unit according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether or not the output is permitted based on the information, a current time corresponding to the information, a traveling direction of the apparatus, a weather, or a season. Content output device.   The selection information is information on the time at which the output of each selection element was last performed as the content, and the output selection unit selects the output based on the time information and the current time. The content output device according to claim 1, wherein the content output device is a device.   The selection information is information on the direction of travel or time zone of the device when each selection element is allowed or not allowed to be selected, and the output selection means includes this information and the current progress of the device. The content output apparatus according to claim 1, 3 or 4, wherein the output is selected based on a direction or a current time.   The selection information is information regarding user preferences for each selection element, and the output selection unit is configured based on the information and setting details regarding user preferences set corresponding to the information. The content output device according to any one of claims 1 and 3 to 5, wherein an output is selected.   The selection information is mounted on a vehicle and includes means for detecting the speed of the vehicle, and the information for selection is information on a time required from the start to the end of output as the content for each selection element, and the output selection means Is for selecting the output based on the information on the time and the arrival time to the proximity point obtained based on the current position, the current vehicle speed, and the position of the proximity point. The content output device according to any one of claims 1 and 3-6.   It is mounted on a vehicle and includes means for detecting the speed of the vehicle, and the selection information includes information on the time required from the start to the end of output as the content for each selection element, When outputting each selected element as the content, output based on the information on the time and the arrival time to the proximity point obtained based on the current position, the current vehicle speed, and the position of the proximity point 8. The content output apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for adjusting a start position.   The content output device constitutes a part of the navigation device mounted on the vehicle, and means for determining the driver of the vehicle, and information on the driver when each selected element is output as the content. Means for recording as the selection information, and the output selection means selects the output based on information on the driver at the time of output and a determination result for the current driver by the determination means. The content output device according to claim 1, wherein the content output device is provided.   The content output device constitutes a part of a navigation device mounted on the vehicle, and includes a means for determining the presence or absence of a passenger in the vehicle, wherein the output selection means is determined to currently have a passenger 5. The content output apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the output is selected without being based on the time information and the current time. Means for obtaining the current position;
For each target point, based on the database that records the information about the position and the information about the content for audio output, the corresponding content is output for the adjacent point at a predetermined proximity position to the current position among the target points. Output means to perform;
A navigation device comprising means for performing guidance related to the intersection by voice at a predetermined distance before the intersection on the set guidance route;
A navigation apparatus comprising: means for adjusting a temporal relationship between content output timing for the proximity point and guidance timing for the intersection. Information about the content of each target point is recorded as multiple selection elements,
In the database, for each selected element, information on the time of the last output as the content is recorded,
12. The navigation device according to claim 11, further comprising: an output selection unit that selects, based on the time information and a current time, an item to be output as the content from among the selection elements related to the proximity point. The navigation device described. Information about the content of each target point is recorded as multiple selection elements,
In the database, for each selection element, information on the direction of travel of the device when the selection is allowed or not allowed is recorded,
The navigation device includes an output selection unit that selects, based on the traveling direction information and the traveling direction of the device at the proximity point, the one to be output as the content from the selection elements related to the proximity point. The navigation device according to claim 11 or 12. Information about the content of each target point is recorded as multiple selection elements,
In the database, for each selection element, information on the weather when the selection is allowed or not allowed is recorded,
The navigation device selects an output to be output as the content from the selection elements related to the proximity point based on the weather information and the weather at the proximity point at the present or when the proximity point is reached. The navigation device according to claim 11, comprising: Information about the content of each target point is recorded as multiple selection elements,
In the database, for each selection element, information on the time zone when the selection is allowed or not allowed is recorded,
The navigation device includes an output selection unit that selects, based on the time zone information and the arrival time at the proximity point, a selection element related to the proximity point that is output as the content. The navigation device according to any one of claims 11 to 14. Information about the content of each target point is recorded as multiple selection elements,
In the database, for each selection element, information on user preferences is described,
The navigation device selects an output to be output as the content from among the selection elements related to the proximity point based on the preference information and the setting content related to the preference of the user set corresponding to the preference information. The content output device according to claim 11, further comprising: means. Computer
Based on a database in which information on the position and information on the contents for output are recorded for each target point, a proximity point at a predetermined proximity position to the current position among the target points. In a content output program that functions as output means for outputting the content,
Information about each content is recorded as multiple selection elements,
In the database, for each selection element, selection information referred to for determining whether or not to allow the selection is recorded,
A content output program that causes a computer to further function as an output selection unit that selects, based on the selection information, a selection element related to the proximity point to be output as the content. A procedure for the computer to obtain the current position;
Based on a database in which the computer records information on the position and information on the content for output for each target point, the output of the content for each of the target points at a predetermined proximity position to the current position A content output method comprising:
Information about each content is recorded as multiple selection elements,
In the database, for each selection element, selection information referred to for determining whether or not to allow the selection is recorded,
The content output method characterized by comprising the procedure for a computer to select what to output as said content from the selection elements which concern on the said proximity point based on the said information for selection.

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