Information provision device

Abstract

To provide an information provision device, an information provision method, an information providing program, and a storage medium storing the information providing program that can easily understand a variety categories of information even in a situation where it is difficult to operate, or it is impossible to view a screen closely.SOLUTION: A system control section 2 displays areas A0 to A4 provided for respective categories on a display section 3, and displays information of categories corresponding to the areas A0 to A4. The system control section 2 controls a voice output section 4 to sequentially read out information of each category, and expands the areas A2-A4 corresponding to the categories being read out, to display.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information providing device, an information providing method, an information providing program, and a recording medium storing the information providing program. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, a display unit mounted on a vehicle is provided with a switching button, and by operating this switching button, the display contents can be switched, for example, from a navigation screen to an audio screen. However, the above-mentioned conventional display unit could only provide information of one category on one screen, so if one wanted to obtain information of various categories, one had to operate the switching button. For this reason, it is difficult to grasp information of various categories in a situation in which it is difficult to operate the switching button, such as while driving or in a hurry. Therefore, a device has been proposed that splits the screen and displays an area related to navigation and an area related to functions other than navigation (e.g., audio function) on one screen (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-66197 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in a situation where it is difficult to look at the screen carefully, such as while driving, even if multiple areas are displayed on one screen and information is displayed in each area as described above, it is difficult to understand at a glance what is being displayed. In addition, the display unit described in Patent Document 1 does not mention a function for reading out aloud, and even if reading out is performed, it is difficult to know which category of information is being read out.

[0005] Therefore, an example of an objective of the present invention is to provide an information providing device, an information providing method, an information providing program, and a storage medium storing the information providing program, which enable easy understanding of information of various categories. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the invention described in claim 1 is an information providing device comprising a display control unit that controls a display unit to display areas for each of a plurality of categories and information of the category corresponding to the areas, and an audio control unit that controls an audio output unit to output audio information related to the information of the category corresponding to the areas, wherein the display control unit performs display control to enlarge the first area relative to the audio information that the audio control unit automatically outputs without user operation and other areas. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of an information providing device according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a system control unit constituting the information providing device shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an image displayed on the display unit during the reading shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a navigation area. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] An information providing device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below. A display control unit causes the display unit to display areas provided for each of a plurality of categories and information on the categories corresponding to the areas. A voice control unit controls the voice output unit to output voice information related to the information on the categories corresponding to the areas. The display control unit displays the areas related to the voice information that the voice control unit is causing the voice output unit to output, more emphasized than other areas.

[0009] As a result, the audio control unit causes the audio output unit to output audio information related to the category of information corresponding to the area, so that the audio information can be understood even in a situation where it is not possible to look closely at the display unit. Moreover, the area related to the audio information being output by the audio output unit is displayed more emphasized than other areas, so that it is easy to understand which category the audio information being output by the audio output unit belongs to.

[0010] The display control unit may display at least one piece of information about the category as a diagram, and the audio control unit may output information about the diagram to the audio output unit. This makes it easier to understand the information.

[0011] In addition, the information displayed in the area corresponding to at least one category and highlighted by the display control unit and the information output by the audio output unit may be different in content, thereby making it possible to provide more information.

[0012] In addition, the information displayed in the area when the area is highlighted may be different from the information displayed in the area when the area is not highlighted, thereby making it possible to provide more information.

[0013] One of the areas is a navigation area that displays navigation information, and the navigation area is displayed in an emphasized manner, and a mark indicating traffic information is displayed on a map. The voice control unit may output the meaning of the mark to the voice output unit. This makes it easier to understand the information.

[0014] One of the regions may be an information region that displays news, where headlines are displayed in a highlighted manner, and the audio output unit may output news related to the displayed headlines. This allows the user to easily grasp the outline and details of the news.

[0015] The display control unit may be configured to display or output as audio information news related to the location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit in preference to other news when multiple news headlines are displayed in the information area, thereby allowing the user to know that there is news related to the location information.

[0016] In addition, in the information providing method according to one embodiment of the present invention, in the area display step, a plurality of areas provided for each category are displayed on the display unit, and information of the category corresponding to the area is displayed. In the audio output step, the audio output unit is controlled to output the information of each category. In the area display step, the area corresponding to the category being output from the audio output unit is displayed with emphasis more than other areas.

[0017] As a result, the audio control unit causes the audio output unit to output audio information related to the category of information corresponding to the area, so that the audio information can be understood even in a situation where it is not possible to look closely at the display unit. Moreover, the area related to the audio information being output by the audio output unit is displayed more emphasized than other areas, so that it is easy to understand which category the audio information being output by the audio output unit belongs to.

[0018] The above-described information providing method may be implemented as an information providing program that is executed by a computer. Since it is a program executed by a computer, dedicated hardware or the like is not required, and the information providing method may be installed in a general-purpose information providing device and operated.

[0019] The information providing program may be stored in a computer-readable recording medium, which allows the program to be distributed as a standalone program rather than being incorporated into a device, and allows for easy version upgrades. EXAMPLES

[0020] Next, the above-mentioned information providing device and information providing method will be described below with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the information providing device of the present invention. The information providing device 1 shown in the figure is a device that includes a display unit 3 and an audio output unit 4 and provides information of multiple categories. In this embodiment, an example in which the information providing device 1 is mounted on a vehicle will be described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the information providing device 1 may be incorporated in a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet. The categories include, for example, media information related to CDs and DVDs, navigation information, information information such as news and local information, private information such as a user's schedule and received emails, date and time information such as weather information and temperature, and the like.

[0021] The information providing device 1 includes a system control unit 2 that controls the entire device, a display unit 3, an audio output unit 4, a media device 5, a GPS receiving unit 6, and a communication unit 8, which are connected by a bus 9. The system control unit 2 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) equipped with memories such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory). The CPU of the system control unit 2 operates according to an information providing program recorded in the ROM, and provides information of multiple categories obtained from the media device 5, the GPS receiving unit 6, and the communication unit 8, which will be described later, using the display unit 3 and the audio output unit 4.

[0022] The display unit 3 is provided, for example, on the instrument panel of the vehicle, and is configured with a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) element, etc. The display unit 3 displays information of each category in response to a request from the system control unit 2.

[0023] The audio output unit 4 includes, for example, a DAC (digital / analog signal converter), an amplifier, a speaker, etc., and performs D / A conversion on the audio data output from the system control unit 2 using the DAC, then amplifies the data using the amplifier and outputs the data as sound waves from the speaker.

[0024] The media device 5 is configured, for example, with a CD drive, DVD drive, BD drive, HD drive, etc., and reads out music information, video information, etc. recorded on a recording medium such as a CD, DVD, BD, or HD, and transmits it to the system control unit 2. The system control unit 2 categorizes the information obtained from this media device 5 into media information and provides it.

[0025] As is well known, the GPS receiver 6 receives radio waves emitted by a plurality of artificial satellites forming a GPS satellite constellation, obtains the current position information of the GPS receiver 6, and outputs this current position information to the system control unit 2. The system control unit 2 then stores the input position information in a RAM or the like in chronological order. The position information includes various data such as longitude, latitude, and detection date and time that indicate the position of the vehicle at the time of detection by the GPS receiver 6.

[0026] The communication unit 8 is connected by wireless communication through a base station to a network constituted by, for example, the Internet and a mobile communication network. As a result, the system control unit 2 categorizes the news obtained through the network into information information and provides it.

[0027] The communication unit 8 also includes a VICS (registered trademark) receiver, which makes it possible to receive road traffic information (e.g., information on traffic congestion, accidents, road closures, etc.) transmitted from FM multiplex broadcasts, optical (infrared) beacons installed on roads, radio (quasi-microwave) beacons, etc. The system control unit 2 categorizes the road traffic information obtained from the VICS receiver of the communication unit 8 as navigation information and provides it.

[0028] Furthermore, the communication unit 8 is also equipped with a Bluetooth module, and is configured to be connected to a smartphone or tablet via wireless communication. The system control unit 2 acquires personal schedules, contacts, and e-mail reception history stored in the smartphone or tablet, and categorizes them as private information and provides them.

[0029] Next, the operation of the information providing device having the above-mentioned configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 2. In response to a predetermined trigger, the system control unit 2 executes the read-out process shown in Fig. 2. This trigger can be, for example, the vehicle ignition switch being turned on, a preset time being reached, or the vehicle ignition switch being turned on during a preset time period. In addition, as described above, it is also possible that a location can be a trigger, rather than just the time or time period. One example of this is starting the engine when at home.

[0030] First, the system control unit 2 acquires information of each category (step S1). In this step S1, the system control unit 2 acquires media information from the media device 5, navigation information from the GPS receiving unit 6, the map database 7 and the VICS receiver of the communication unit 8, news, date / time / weather information from the network via the communication unit 8, and private information from the Bluetooth module of the communication unit 8. Next, the system control unit 2 reads out and provides the acquired information of multiple categories through the voice output unit 4 (step S2).

[0031] Details of step S2 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. First, the system control unit 2 displays a date / time / weather area A0 at the bottom end of the display unit 3, and displays date / time / weather information in the date / time / weather area A0. The system control unit 2 also functions as a display control unit, and displays a media area A1, a navigation area A2, an information area A3, and a private area A4 provided for each category, and displays information of the corresponding category in each of the areas A1 to A4.

[0032] That is, media information is displayed in the media area A1, navigation information in the navigation area A2, information information in the information area A3, and private information in the private area A4. These areas A1 to A4 are provided by dividing the area on the screen excluding the date, time, and weather area A0 into four. In this embodiment, the upper left of the screen is assigned to the media area A1, the upper right to the navigation area A2, the lower left to the information area A3, and the lower right to the private area A4.

[0033] The system control unit 2 displays a frame surrounding each of the areas A1 to A4 on the display unit 3. Furthermore, the system control unit 2 makes it possible to identify which category each of the areas A1 to A4 belongs to by making the background colors of the areas A1 to A4 different from one another and by displaying numbers, identifiers, letters, etc. within the areas A1 to A4.

[0034] Next, in the information provision process, the system control unit 2 functions as a display control unit and a voice control unit, and controls the voice output unit 4 to read out the information of each category in sequence, and enlarges the area A1-A4 corresponding to the category being read out. This enlargement causes the area A1-A4 corresponding to the category being read out to be displayed more emphasized than the other areas A1-A4 corresponding to categories not being read out. To be more specific, the system control unit 2 reads out, for example, private information → date / time / weather information → navigation information → information information in that order. Note that media information is updated infrequently, so it is not read out in this embodiment.

[0035] When reading out private information, the system control unit 2 enlarges and displays the private area A4 as shown in Fig. 3(A), when reading out navigation information, the system control unit 2 enlarges and displays the navigation area A2 as shown in Fig. 3(B), and when reading out information information, the system control unit 2 enlarges and displays the information area A3 as shown in Fig. 3(C). However, in this embodiment, the size of the date / weather area A0 is not changed even when date / weather information is being read out.

[0036] The information is not read out by simply reading out the characters displayed in the areas A0, A2 to A4, but the information being read out is different from the information displayed in the areas A0, A2 to A4 at that time. The different contents do not simply read out the characters displayed in the areas A0, A2 to A4 as described above, but include displaying marks in the areas A0, A2 to A4 and reading out the meaning of the marks, as described below, or reading out information other than the marks displayed in the areas A0, A2 to A4. It also includes reading out additional information other than the characters when characters are displayed in the areas A0, A2 to A4.

[0037] Next, the enlargement of the areas A2 to A4 will be described in detail. The areas A2 to A4 being read out are enlarged vertically and horizontally to become large areas. The areas A1 to A4 allocated to the left and right (horizontal) of this large area are reduced horizontally to become small areas. The areas A1 to A4 allocated to the top and bottom (vertical) of the large area are enlarged horizontally in the same manner as the large area, and reduced vertically to become medium areas. As a result, the areas A2 to A4 are switched between large, medium, and small areas according to the switching of the category being read out. The information displayed in this large area and the information displayed in the medium and small areas are different in content, and the amount of information displayed corresponds to the size of the area.

[0038] Next, specific examples of information displayed in areas A1 to A4 and information read aloud will be described. First, an example of private information will be described. When private information is not being read aloud and private area A4 is displayed in the small / medium area, the system control unit 2 displays, for example, a mark indicating that there is an event scheduled for today.

[0039] Next, when the private information is read out and the private area is displayed in the large area, the system control unit 2 displays the details of the schedule for that day. At this time, the details of the schedule for that day are also read out from the audio output unit 4.

[0040] Next, an example of date / time / weather information will be described. As shown in Fig. 3, the system control unit 2 displays a weather mark indicating the date / time and the weather of that day in the date / time / weather area A0. The system control unit 2 also reads out the meaning of the weather mark displayed in the date / time / weather area A0, such as "Today's weather is sunny." Furthermore, if the day is Friday, the system control unit 2 reads out additional information, such as "The weather over the weekend will be sunny."

[0041] Next, an example of the navigation information will be described with reference to Fig. 4. When the navigation information is not being read out and the navigation area A2 is displayed in the small / medium area, the system control unit 2 displays the word "Home" indicating the destination and the arrival time to the destination in the navigation area A2, as shown in Fig. 4(A).

[0042] Next, the system control unit 2 reads out the navigation information, and when the navigation area A2 is displayed in the large area, the contents shown in Fig. 4(B) are displayed. As shown in Fig. 4(B), a map to the destination is displayed in the large area of ​​the navigation area A2, and a current position mark M1 indicating the current position, a destination mark M2 indicating the destination, a route R to the destination, and marks indicating traffic information such as a caution mark M3 and a congestion line mark M4 are superimposed on the map. At this time, the system control unit 2 controls the voice output unit 4 so that the meaning of the caution mark M3, such as "Road closure near XX," is read out, and the meaning of the congestion line mark M4, such as "There is a congestion near XX intersection," is read out.

[0043] Next, an example of displaying news as information information will be described. When the information information is not being read out and the information area A3 is displayed in the small / medium area, the system control unit 2 displays only the headline of the top news.

[0044] Next, the system control unit 2 reads out the news, and when the information area A3 is displayed in the large area, the large area of ​​the information area A3 displays, for example, the headline of the top news and an image or summary related to that news. At this time, the audio output unit 4 reads out the details of the top news.

[0045] In the above embodiment, an example in which only the top news is read out has been described, but the following example is also possible. First, when multiple news items are acquired, the system control unit 2 displays the headlines of the acquired multiple news items in the large area of ​​the information area A3. At this time, the audio output unit 4 sequentially reads out the outline or details of the multiple news items whose headlines are displayed. At this time, when the user performs a selection operation, for example by touching the display screen of the display unit 3, the system control unit 2 may switch to a screen that displays detailed content related to the news item being read out at the time of the selection operation, or may add a bookmark.

[0046] In the above embodiment, multiple news headlines are displayed and the details of the multiple displayed news are read out. However, the following example is also conceivable. First, when there is previously input or registered location information, the system control unit 2 functions as a location information acquisition unit and acquires it. The location information is location information such as a destination input for route search or a previously registered home. When multiple news headlines are displayed in the information area A3, the system control unit 2 outputs news related to the acquired location information as display or audio information with priority over other news. Displaying with priority can be, for example, when multiple headlines are displayed vertically in the enlarged information area A3, by displaying the headline related to the location information at the top or by highlighting it in bold so that it can be distinguished from other news. Furthermore, preferentially outputting the audio information means, for example, when reading out only some of the news headlines among the multiple headlines displayed in the information area A3, always including news related to the location information among the news to be read out, reading out news related to the location information first, reading out detailed information about news related to the location information and reading out summaries about other news, etc., so that the news can be distinguished from other news. This allows the user to know that there is news related to the location information.

[0047] According to the above-mentioned embodiment, the system control unit 2 causes the display unit 3 to display the areas A1 to A4 provided for each of a plurality of categories and the category information corresponding to the areas A1 to A4. The system control unit 2 also controls the audio output unit 4 to output audio information related to the category information corresponding to the areas A2 to A4, and at this time, the areas A2 to A4 related to the audio information output by the audio output unit 4 are displayed more emphasized than the other areas A1 to A4. This allows the user to grasp the audio information even in a situation where the user cannot look closely at the display unit 3. Moreover, since the areas A2 to A4 related to the audio information output by the audio output unit 4 are displayed more emphasized than the other areas A1 to A4, it becomes easier to grasp which category the audio information output by the audio output unit 4 belongs to.

[0048] Furthermore, according to the embodiment described above, the system control unit 2 displays the navigation information, which is at least one of the categories, as a diagram (a map and marks M3, M4 displayed on the map) and outputs information related to the diagram to the voice output unit 4. This makes it easier to understand the information.

[0049] Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, the information displayed in the enlarged areas A2 to A4 is different from the information output by the audio output unit 4. This makes it possible to provide more information.

[0050] Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, the information displayed in the areas A2 to A4 when the areas A2 to A4 are expanded, such as navigation information, information information, and private information, is different from the information displayed in the areas A2 to A4 when the areas A2 to A4 are not expanded, thereby making it possible to provide more information.

[0051] Furthermore, according to the embodiment described above, the enlarged navigation area A2 displays the marks M3 and M4 representing traffic information that are easy to see, and the meanings of the marks M3 and M4 are read out. This makes it easier to understand the information.

[0052] Furthermore, according to the embodiment described above, the enlarged information area A3 displays headlines and reads out news related to the displayed headlines, allowing the reader to easily grasp the summary and details of the news.

[0053] According to the above-described embodiment, the information categories are five, namely, media information, navigation information, information information, private information, and date / time / weather information, but the information categories are not limited to these. Other categories of information may be added.

[0054] According to the above embodiment, the information of each category is read out in a predetermined order, but the present invention is not limited to this. Normally, when the user selects each of the areas A1 to A4, the system control unit 2 enlarges the selected area A1 to A4. Therefore, each category of information may be read out in an order according to the history of the selected areas A1 to A4. Specifically, if the user frequently selects the information area A3, the information information may be read out first. Also, if the user rarely selects the private area A4, the private information may not be read out. Also, if the system control unit 2 performs a skip operation while reading out, the reading out of the category information being read out at that time may be skipped. In this case, it may be possible not to read out the category that has been skipped many times.

[0055] The above-mentioned selection operation and skip operation may be, for example, a touch operation on the touch panel of the display unit 3. Other possible operations include gesture operation and a user interface using voice recognition. When voice recognition is used, skipping the reading out using a voice recognition command may be regarded as a skip operation. Also, the selection operation may be a selection operation such as specifying a reading out area using a voice recognition command or a playback request to have the current area spoken again.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the date / weather area A0 is not enlarged when the weather is being read out, but this is not limited to the above. The date / weather area A0 may be enlarged when the weather is being read out. In this case, it is possible to add and display not only the weather for that day, but also the weather marks for tomorrow and the day after tomorrow in the enlarged date / weather area A0.

[0057] In the above embodiment, of the five categories of date / time / weather information, media information, navigation information, information information, and private information displayed on the display unit 3, only four categories are read out, and the media information is not read out, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, all categories may be read out.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the areas A2 to A4 corresponding to the category being read out are enlarged and emphasized, but this is not limiting. For example, the areas A2 to A4 corresponding to the category being read out may be emphasized by making the frame of the area A2 to A4 thicker or by changing the background color from the other areas A2 to A4. The frame of the area A2 to A4 corresponding to the category being read out may be blinked or made to appear raised, so that the area A2 to A4 is emphasized more than the other areas A2 to A4.

[0059] The above-mentioned examples are merely representative embodiments of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. In other words, the present invention can be practiced in various modifications without departing from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1 Information provision device 2 System control unit (display control unit, audio control unit, location information acquisition unit) 3 Display section 4 Audio output section A1~A4 area M3 Caution mark (mark, diagram) M4 traffic jam line marking (mark, diagram)

Claims

[Claim 1] a display control unit that controls the display unit to display areas for each of a plurality of categories and information on the categories corresponding to the areas; a voice control unit that controls a voice output unit to output voice information related to information of a category corresponding to the area; Equipped with The information providing device is characterized in that the display control unit performs display control to enlarge the first area, which is related to the voice information that the voice control unit automatically outputs without user operation, without overlapping with other areas, to enlarge the first area more than before the voice information was output.

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