JP2006010509A - Navigation system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a navigation system capable of guiding with the voice that the user recorded for all audio assist. <P>SOLUTION: The system comprises a voice input means 2 for inputting recorded voice data, a voice data base 6 storing preliminarily formed initial guiding voice data and input record voice data, a matching information altering means 9 for matching the recorded data input from the voice input means with initial guiding voice data and storing in the voice data base, a route survey means for surveying the route from the present position to a destination, a guiding voice acquiring means 7 for acquiring the recorded voice data when there is recorded voice data matched with the initial guiding voice data from the voice data base in the case that audio assist is necessary during running along the route surveyed with the route survey means and acquiring initial guiding voice data when it does not exist, and a voice output means 10 outputting the guiding voice based on the initial guiding voice data acquired with the guiding voice acquiring means or the recorded voice data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation system, and more particularly, to a technique for guiding with a voice recorded by a user.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, an in-vehicle navigation system that is mounted on a vehicle and guides a driver to a destination with a map and voice is known. As one of in-vehicle navigation systems that perform such guidance by voice, a navigation device that can confirm preset voice data that is output by voice at a preset point during travel at any point is known (for example, , See Patent Document 1).

  This navigation device includes a destination / waypoint memory for storing the positions of a plurality of destinations / waypoints, selection means for selecting one of the destinations / waypoints, and the number of destinations / waypoints. Voice data memory capable of storing voice data, voice data input means for recording voice by key operation, voice data output means for reproducing voice by key operation, and voice when approaching a destination / route Voice guidance means for reproduction.

  As another in-vehicle navigation system, Patent Document 2 discloses a vehicle navigation system. This navigation system detects the current position of the vehicle and the direction of travel and displays it on a map on the TV screen when it reaches a pre-specified checkpoint, or warns the driver by voice. As a reception status, a mark near the checkpoint in the outbound route is recorded, and when returning to the same route, the checkpoint of the outbound route recorded when arriving at the same checkpoint as the outbound route is warned as a message with the positional relationship with the outbound route reversed Road guidance means is provided.

JP-A-5-2322871 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 2-55115

  However, with the above-described conventional one, the recorded voice can only be associated with points such as destinations, waypoints, and checkpoints. The function of “playing back the voice recorded by the user” has a strong meaning of “can perform user-specific coloring in the system”, but in the conventional apparatus that can only associate the voice with the point, it is not around the point. Guidance is given at pre-recorded voices. As a result, the effect of “user-specific coloring for the system” is exhibited only in the vicinity of the point associated with the voice. Therefore, it is desired to develop a system capable of guiding all voice guidance by voice recorded by the user.

  The present invention has been made to meet the above-described demand, and an object thereof is to provide a navigation system capable of guiding all voice guidance by voice recorded by a user.

  The navigation system according to the present invention includes a voice input means for inputting recorded voice data, a voice database for storing previously prepared initial guidance voice data and recorded voice data inputted from the voice input means, and a voice input means. Corresponding information changing means for storing the input recorded voice data in the voice database in association with the initial guidance voice data stored in the voice database; and path search means for searching for a route from the current position to the destination. When it is determined that voice guidance is necessary during traveling along the route searched by the route search means, when recorded voice data associated with the initial guidance voice data exists from the voice database If the recorded voice data does not exist, a guidance voice acquisition means for acquiring initial guidance voice data and a guidance voice acquisition procedure And an audio output unit in outputting a guidance voice based on the obtained initial lag audio data or recording audio data.

  According to the present invention, the recorded voice data representing the voice input by the user is stored in association with the initial guidance voice data stored in advance in the voice database using the correspondence table, and searched by the route search means. When voice guidance is required while traveling along the route, if the recorded voice data associated with the initial guidance voice data exists from the voice database, the recorded voice data is displayed. Since the guidance voice data is acquired and the guidance voice is output, all the voices recorded by the user can be uttered for all the voice guidance by the car navigation as long as the user inputs the voice. . As a result, it becomes possible to give a mental relief to the user who is exhausted by driving.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
This navigation system is provided in the main processing unit 1, voice input means 2, storage means 3, own vehicle position detection means 4, input means 5, voice database 6, guidance voice acquisition means 7, and guidance voice acquisition means 7. The correspondence table 8 includes correspondence information changing means 9, voice output means 10, display means 11, and communication means 12.

  The main processing unit 1 is composed of a microcomputer, for example, and controls the entire navigation system. The route search means of the present invention is realized by the main processing unit 1 and executes route search processing for searching for a route from the current position to the destination. Details of processing performed in the main processing unit 1 will be described later.

  The voice input means 2 is composed of a microphone, for example, and is used by a user to input voice. The voice input from the voice input means 2 is converted into an electrical signal and sent to the main processing unit 1 as recorded voice data.

  The storage means 3 is composed of a disk drive that reads map data and other data recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM. Map data and other data stored in the storage means 3 are read out by the main processing unit 1.

  The own vehicle position detection means 4 is composed of a vehicle speed sensor, a GPS receiver, a gyro, and the like. Speed data indicating the speed of the vehicle detected by the vehicle speed sensor and a current position indicating the current position detected by the GPS receiver. The vehicle position is detected based on the data and the direction data representing the traveling direction of the vehicle detected by the gyro. Position data representing the current position of the host vehicle detected by the host vehicle position detection unit 4 is sent to the main processing unit 1.

  The input means 5 is composed of, for example, a touch panel placed on the display screen of the display means 11, and is used by the user to give various instructions to the navigation system. Data input from the input unit 5 is sent to the main processing unit 1. The input unit 5 is not limited to a touch panel, and for example, a remote controller, an operation switch, or the like can be used.

  The voice database 6 stores voice data. The voice data includes initial guidance voice data prepared in advance by the navigation system and recorded voice data input by the user using the voice input means 2. The recorded voice data is associated with the initial guidance voice data by the correspondence table 8 provided inside the guidance voice acquisition means 7. The relationship between the association table 8 and the voice database 6 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 2 shows the association table 8 and the voice database 6 in the initial state. In the correspondence table 8 in the initial state, as shown in FIG. 2A, the initial guidance voice data D1 for ID1, the initial guidance voice data D2 for ID2, and the initial guidance voice data D3 for ID3 are ID4. Are respectively associated with the initial guidance voice data D4. In the voice database 6, as shown in FIG. 2B, the initial guidance voice data D1 is “right”, the initial guidance voice data D2 is “left”, and the initial guidance voice data D3 is “soon. ", The phrase" beyond "is stored as the initial guidance voice data D4.

  FIG. 3 shows the association table 8 and the voice database 6 after the recorded voice data is input by the user. In the association table 8 in this state, as shown in FIG. 3A, the recorded voice data D5 for ID1, the recorded voice data D6 for ID2, the recorded voice data D7 for ID3, and the recorded voice for ID4 are recorded. Audio data D8 is associated with each other. In the voice database 6, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), the recording voice data D5 is "right", the recording voice data D6 is "left", the recording voice data D7 is "soon", the recording The phrase “beyond” is stored as the audio data D8.

  The guidance voice acquisition means 7 shown in FIG. 1 acquires initial guidance voice data or recorded voice data from the voice database 6 according to the contents of the association table 8 in response to an instruction from the main processing unit 1, and the acquired initial voice A voice signal is generated based on the guidance voice data or the recorded voice data. The voice signal generated by the guided voice acquisition unit 7 is sent to the voice output unit 10.

  The correspondence information changing means 9 stores the voice data sent from the voice input means 2 via the main processing unit 1 in the voice database 6 as the recorded voice data, and is associated with the storage of the recorded voice data. The contents of table 8 are changed. Details of processing executed in the correspondence information changing unit 9 will be described later.

  The audio output means 10 is composed of, for example, a speaker, and generates a guidance voice based on the voice signal sent from the guidance voice acquisition means 7.

  The display means 11 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal panel, and displays a map and various messages according to display data sent from the main processing unit 1. As described above, the touch panel as the input unit 11 is placed on the screen of the display unit 11.

  The communication means 12 is used to connect the navigation system to an information distribution source such as the Internet and other various computer networks, a VICS system, and an information providing service network for car navigation (for example, “MONET”).

  Next, an operation of the navigation system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention configured as described above will be described.

  First, details of the correspondence information changing process executed by the correspondence information changing means 9 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In this correspondence information changing process, it is first checked whether or not there is a request to generate voice information (step ST11). That is, the main processing unit 1 checks whether or not an instruction to generate voice information is input from the input unit 5. If it is determined in step ST11 that there is no request to generate audio information, a standby state is entered through repeated execution of step ST11.

  When it is determined that there is a request to generate voice information in the standby state by repeatedly executing step ST11, the contents of the association table 8 are presented to the user (step ST12). Specifically, the main processing unit 1 sends a request to the voice information input means 5 to generate voice information to the correspondence information changing means 9. In response to this request, the correspondence information changing unit 9 reads the content from the correspondence table 8 in the guidance voice obtaining unit 7 and sends it to the display unit 11 via the main processing unit 1.

  As a result, the phrases of the initial guidance voice data D1 to D4 assigned to ID1 to ID4 of the association table 8 as shown in FIG. 5, for example, are displayed on the display means 11, and guidance for voice input is performed. The user can select a phrase to be changed from the phrases displayed on the display means 11. Therefore, for example, it is difficult to make a dangerous setting such as accidentally assigning the recorded voice data “to the left” to the initial guidance voice data “to the right”.

  Next, it is checked whether or not a phrase has been selected (step ST13). Here, if it is determined that it has not been selected, the process waits while repeatedly executing this step ST13. If it is determined that a phrase has been selected in a standby state due to repeated execution of step ST13, it is then checked whether voice data has been input (step ST14). Here, if it is determined that no audio data is input, the process waits while repeatedly executing step ST14. The user inputs voice using the voice input means 2 in a standby state by repeatedly executing step ST14.

  If it is determined that voice data has been input in a standby state due to repeated execution of step ST14, the input voice data is stored in the voice database 6 as recorded voice data (step ST15). Now, assuming that the phrase “It is right” in the initial guidance voice data D1 corresponding to ID1 is selected in Step ST13, and the phrase “It is right” is input from the voice input means 2 in Step ST14. Correspondence information changing means 9 obtains voice data corresponding to the phrase via the main processing unit 1 and stores it in the voice database 6 as recorded voice data.

  Next, the contents of the association table 8 are updated (step ST16). That is, in the above example, as shown in FIG. 2A, the correspondence information changing means 9 is associated with the initial guidance voice data D1 of the phrase “rightward” with respect to ID1 in the initial state. As shown in FIG. 3A, the content of the association table 8 is changed to associate the recorded voice data D5 of the phrase “right” with ID1. Thus, the correspondence information change process ends.

  Next, route guidance processing executed in this navigation system will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In the route guidance process, a route search process is first executed (step ST21). That is, the main processing unit 1 searches the route from the vehicle position detected by the vehicle position detection unit 4 to the destination input by the input unit 5 based on the map data read from the storage unit 3. . The route data representing the route obtained by this search is stored in the main processing unit 1. Then, route guidance is started when the own vehicle starts moving.

  When route guidance is started, first, the vehicle position is detected (step ST22). That is, the main processing unit 1 acquires position data representing the current position of the own vehicle from the own vehicle position detecting means 4. Next, it is checked whether or not guidance voice guidance is necessary (step ST23). Specifically, the main processing unit 1 checks whether or not the point where the guidance voice guidance should be output has been reached by comparing the route data obtained in step ST21 and the position data obtained in step ST22. . If it is determined in this step ST23 that guidance voice guidance is not necessary, the sequence returns to step ST22 and the above-described processing is repeated.

  If it is determined in step ST23 that guidance voice guidance is necessary during the repeated execution of steps ST22 and ST23, a list of voice data is generated (step ST24). That is, the main processing unit 1 generates a list of voice data constituting the guidance voice that should be generated at the current position, based on the route data obtained in step ST21. For example, in the current position, if a guidance voice “soon to the right, then to the left” is to be generated, a data string “ID3-ID1-ID4-ID2” is generated as a list of voice data. . This list of voice data is sent to the guide voice acquisition means 7.

  Next, audio data is acquired (step ST25). That is, the guidance voice acquisition unit 7 refers to the association table 8 to obtain the initial guidance voice data or the recorded voice data corresponding to the data string “ID3-ID1-ID4-ID2” received from the main processing unit 1. Obtained from the voice database 6. Assuming that the contents of the association table 8 are in the initial state as shown in FIG. 2, the initial guidance voice data of the phrase “Soon, right direction, then left direction” is acquired from the voice database 6. Is done.

  On the other hand, if the contents of the association table 8 are changed as shown in FIG. 3, the recorded voice data of the phrase “coming soon, right now, then left” is obtained from the voice database 6. To be acquired. The guidance voice acquisition means 7 generates a voice signal based on the initial guidance voice data or the recorded voice data acquired from the voice database 6 and sends it to the voice output means 10.

  Next, a guidance voice is output (step ST26). That is, the voice output unit 10 generates a guide voice based on the voice signal sent from the guide voice acquisition unit 7. This completes the route guidance using the guidance voice at the current position. The above route guidance processing is executed at a predetermined cycle. Therefore, every time the vehicle reaches a point where the guidance voice guidance on the route indicated by the route data is to be output, the route guidance by the guidance voice corresponding to the point is performed.

  As described above, according to the navigation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the initial guidance voice data stored in advance in the voice database 6 represents the voice input by the user using the voice input means 2. When the recorded voice data is stored in the voice database 6 in association with the correspondence table 8 and voice guidance is required during traveling along the route searched by the route search means, the voice database 6 Since the recorded voice data associated with the initial guidance voice data exists, the recorded voice data is obtained. When the recorded voice data does not exist, the initial guidance voice data is acquired and the voice output means 10 outputs the guidance voice. , If the user only inputs voice, all voices recorded by the user are spoken for all voice guidance by car navigation Possible to become.

  As a result, it is possible to give the user the impression that the navigation system is unique to the user, and higher psychological relief (healing effect) and satisfaction than the existing narrator's voice guidance. Can be given to. For example, in the case of a company employee who is assigned as a single employee, it is possible to use recorded voice data recorded with the voice of his daughter for voice guidance.

  In the navigation system according to the first embodiment described above, a microphone or the like for inputting voice by the user is used as the voice input unit 2, but recording such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM in which recorded voice data is recorded in advance. A medium can also be used. In this case, the correspondence information changing means 9 changes the contents of the association table 8 when storing the recorded voice data input from the recording medium in the voice database 6 and changes the recorded voice data to the initial guidance voice data. Associate. According to this configuration, for example, by using a recording medium recorded by an animated character or an idol's voice that the user likes, the user can receive guidance guidance with a voice that the user likes. Further, instead of acquiring the recorded voice data from the recording medium, the recorded voice data can be acquired from the site on the network via the communication unit 12.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
The navigation system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention is such that the contents of the association table 8 can be returned to the initial state in the navigation system according to Embodiment 1.

  The configuration of the navigation system according to the second embodiment is the same as the configuration of the navigation system according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  Next, the operation of the navigation system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. The operation of the navigation system according to the second embodiment is different from that of the navigation system according to the first embodiment only in the content of the correspondence information changing process executed by the correspondence information changing means 9. Therefore, in the following, different parts will be mainly described.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing details of the correspondence information changing process executed in the correspondence information changing means 9 of the navigation system according to the second embodiment.

  In this correspondence information changing process, it is first checked whether or not there is a request to generate voice information (step ST11). Here, if it is determined that there is no request to generate audio information, it is then checked whether there is an initialization request (step ST17). That is, the main processing unit 1 checks whether or not an instruction to be initialized is input from the input unit 5. If it is determined in step ST17 that there is no request for initialization, the sequence returns to step ST11, and thereafter enters a standby state by repeated execution of steps ST11 and ST17.

  If it is determined in step ST11 that there is a request to generate voice information in a standby state by repeatedly executing steps ST11 and ST17, recording is performed in the same manner as in the navigation system according to the first embodiment described above. The voice data is stored in the voice database 6 and the association table 8 is updated (steps ST12 to ST16). On the other hand, when it is determined in step ST17 that there is a request to be initialized in a standby state by repeatedly executing steps ST11 and ST17, initialization processing for initializing the association table 8 (steps ST18 to ST20). Is done. This initialization process corresponds to the initialization means of the present invention.

  In the initialization process, an inquiry is first made (step ST18). Specifically, the main processing unit 1 sends a request for initialization to the correspondence information changing unit 9. In response to this request, the correspondence information changing unit 9 generates display data for an inquiry screen and sends it to the display unit 11 via the main processing unit 1. Thereby, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, an inquiry screen including an inquiry message “Do you want to initialize audio data?” And buttons “Yes” and “No” is displayed on the display means 11. . The user instructs whether to initialize the association table 8 by pressing the “Yes” or “No” button on the inquiry screen.

  Next, it is checked whether or not there is an initialization instruction (step ST19). That is, the correspondence information changing unit 9 checks whether there is an instruction for initialization. Here, if there is no instruction for initialization, that is, it is determined that the “No” button has been pressed, initialization of the association table 8 is terminated without the initialization of the association table 8.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST19 that there is an instruction for initialization, that is, the “Yes” button has been pressed, the association table 8 is initialized (step ST20). By this initialization, the association table 8 and the voice database 6 are returned to the initial state as shown in FIG. 2, for example, from the state where the recorded voice data is input by the user as shown in FIG. Thus, the initialization process ends.

  As described above, according to the navigation system of the second embodiment of the present invention, the association table 8 and the voice database 6 can be returned to the initial state according to a user instruction. Therefore, in the unlikely event that the recorded voice data of “I am left” is registered for the initial guidance voice data of ID1 “I am right”, it is safe to perform the initialization by performing initialization. It is possible to provide guidance.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
The navigation system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention is such that the recorded voice data can be edited in the navigation system according to Embodiment 2.

  The configuration of the navigation system according to Embodiment 3 is the same as that of the navigation system according to Embodiment 1 shown in FIG.

  Next, the operation of the navigation system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described. The operation of the navigation system according to the third embodiment is different from that of the navigation system according to the first and second embodiments only in the content of the correspondence information changing process executed by the corresponding information changing means 9. Therefore, in the following, different parts will be mainly described.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing details of the correspondence information changing process executed by the correspondence information changing means 9 of the navigation system according to the third embodiment.

  In this correspondence information changing process, it is first checked whether or not there is a request to generate voice information (step ST11). If it is determined in step ST11 that there is no request to generate audio information, it is then checked whether there is an initialization request (step ST17). If it is determined in step ST17 that there is no initialization request, it is then checked whether there is an editing request (step ST31). That is, the main processing unit 1 checks whether an instruction to edit is input from the input unit 5. If it is determined in step ST31 that there is no editing request, the sequence returns to step ST11, and then enters a standby state by repeatedly executing steps ST11, ST17, and ST31.

  If it is determined in step ST11 that there is a request to generate voice information in a standby state by repeatedly executing steps ST11, ST17, and ST31, as in the navigation system according to the first embodiment described above. The recorded voice data is stored in the voice database 6 and the association table 8 is updated (steps ST12 to ST16). If it is determined in step ST17 that there is a request for initialization in the standby state by repeatedly executing steps ST11, ST17, and ST31, initialization is performed in the same manner as in the navigation system according to the second embodiment described above. Processing is performed (steps ST18 to ST20).

  If it is determined in step ST31 that there is an editing request in a standby state by repeatedly executing steps ST11, ST17, and ST31, an editing process is performed (step ST32). This editing process corresponds to the editing means of the present invention. In the editing process, the recorded voice data stored in the voice database 6 is edited. In this editing, voice level equalization, noise removal, voice synthesis, and the like can be performed.

  As described above, according to the navigation system of the third embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to use higher-quality voice data as the guidance voice data than the normally recorded voice data. For example, by making the sound level uniform, even when there is a slight difference in the sound output level when recording sound data is recorded, it is possible to generate a guided sound without a sense of incongruity. Also, by removing noise, it is possible to generate a guidance voice that does not feel uncomfortable even if there is some noise when recording voice data is recorded. Furthermore, by performing speech synthesis, it is possible to generate a guidance voice without a sense of incongruity even when the speaker is shy and cannot utter the content to be recorded.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the navigation system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the matching table and audio | voice database in the initial state of the navigation system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the matching table and audio | voice database after the audio | voice input of the navigation system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention is performed. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the corresponding | compatible information change process performed in the corresponding | compatible information change means of the navigation system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen used for correspondence information change in the navigation system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the route guidance process performed in the navigation system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the corresponding information change process performed in the corresponding information change means of the navigation system which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen used for the initialization process in the navigation system which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the corresponding information change process performed in the corresponding information change means of the navigation system which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main processing part, 2 Voice input means, 3 Storage means, 4 Vehicle position detection means, 5 Input means, 6 Voice database, 7 Guidance voice acquisition means, 8 Correlation table, 9 Correspondence information change means, 10 Voice output means 11 Display means, 12 Communication means.

Claims (5)

Voice input means for inputting recorded voice data;
A voice database for storing the initial guidance voice data created in advance and the recorded voice data inputted from the voice input means;
Corresponding information changing means for storing the recorded voice data input from the voice input means in association with the initial guidance voice data stored in the voice database;
Route search means for searching for a route from the current position to the destination;
When it is determined that voice guidance is required during traveling along the route searched by the route search means, there is recorded voice data associated with the initial guidance voice data from the voice database. Is a voice recording means for acquiring the recorded voice data, initial voice data if it does not exist,
A navigation system comprising: voice output means for outputting guidance voice based on the initial guidance voice data or the recorded voice data acquired by the guidance voice acquisition means. The voice input means includes a microphone for inputting voice,
2. The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the correspondence information changing unit presents initial guidance voice data stored in a voice database to guide voice input by the microphone. The voice input means comprises a recording medium on which recorded voice data is recorded in advance.
The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the correspondence information changing unit associates the recorded voice data with the initial guidance voice data when the recorded voice data input from the recording medium is stored in a voice database.   2. The navigation system according to claim 1, further comprising initialization means for initializing the correspondence between the initial guidance voice data and the recorded voice data in the voice database associated by the correspondence information changing means.   The navigation system according to claim 1, further comprising editing means for editing the recorded voice data stored in the voice database.

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