Navigation control device, and navigation method

Abstract

To re-utter guide voices a user misses so as to be easily hearable, while guiding a route to a destination.SOLUTION: A control unit 30 serving as a navigation control device comprises: a location information acquisition unit 31 that acquires location information indicative of a current location; a route guidance unit 37 that guides a route to a destination; a voice output control unit 39 that controls to output a guide voice guiding the route by the route guidance unit 37; and an operation reception unit 34 that receives an operation with respect to an operation unit 14. The operation reception unit 34 is configured to receive a guide request operation for outputting the guide voice again, and the voice output control unit 39 is configured to, when receiving the guide request operation by the operation unit, output a guide voice having the previous guide voice and output mode changed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a navigation control device and a navigation method.

Background Art

[0002] In route guidance by a navigation device, a technique for reducing the degree to which a guidance voice is difficult to hear due to being masked by other sounds is known (see Patent Document 1). In the technique described in Patent Document 1, frequency characteristic information of the voice of a speaker in the vehicle is acquired, and the frequency characteristics of the guidance voice are adjusted so as to emphasize the low-level band so that it is easier to hear in the input voice.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In route guidance by a navigation device, when a guidance voice is missed, it is known to re-output (re-utter) the guidance voice by a user operation. However, even if the second and subsequent guidance voices are output in the same manner as the first guidance voice, the user may find it difficult to hear.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a navigation control device and a navigation method capable of re-uttering a missed guidance voice during guidance of a route to a destination in an easily audible manner.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The navigation control device of the present disclosure includes a position information acquisition unit that acquires position information indicating the current position, a route guidance unit that guides a route to a destination, a voice output control unit that controls to output guidance voice for guiding the route by the route guidance unit, and an operation reception unit that receives an operation on an operation unit. The operation reception unit receives a guidance request operation for outputting the guidance voice again, and when the voice output control unit receives a guidance request operation by the operation reception unit, the voice output control unit outputs the previous guidance voice and the guidance voice with a changed output mode.

[0007] The navigation method of the present disclosure includes a position information acquisition step of acquiring position information indicating the current position, a route guidance step of guiding a route to a destination, a voice output control step of controlling to output guidance voice for guiding the route by the route guidance step, and an operation reception step of receiving an operation on an operation unit. The operation reception step receives a guidance request operation for outputting the guidance voice again, and when the voice output control step receives a guidance request operation by the operation reception step, the voice output control step outputs the previous guidance voice and the guidance voice with a changed output mode, which is executed by a navigation device.

Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, during the guidance of the route to the destination, the guidance voice that the user has missed can be made easier to hear and re-spoken.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the navigation control device and the navigation method according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited by the following embodiments.

[0011] [First Embodiment] <Navigation Device> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a navigation device according to the first embodiment. During the guidance of the route to the destination, when the navigation device 1 receives a guidance request operation such as the user missing the guidance voice, it changes the output mode of the guidance voice and outputs it.

[0012] The guidance request operation is an operation for re-speaking the guidance voice of the route guidance spoken immediately before.

[0013] Changing the output mode means changing the auditory perception that the listener hears, such as changing the speaker, volume, speech rate, intonation, and tone of voice. Changing the speaker means changing the speaker of the current guidance voice with respect to the previous guidance voice. "Previous" shall refer to any one of the previous times before the current time. Changing the volume means changing the volume of the current guidance voice with respect to the previous guidance voice. For example, increasing the volume of the current guidance voice compared to the previous guidance voice. Changing the speech rate means changing the speech rate of the current guidance voice with respect to the previous guidance voice. For example, slowing down the speech rate of the current guidance voice compared to the previous guidance voice. Changing the intonation means changing the intonation of the current guidance voice with respect to the previous guidance voice. For example, making the intonation of the current guidance voice stricter than the previous guidance voice. Changing the tone of voice means changing the tone of voice of the current guidance voice with respect to the previous guidance voice. For example, strengthening the tone of voice of the current guidance voice compared to the previous guidance voice. In this embodiment, for the case of changing the speaker as a way to change the output mode between the first guidance voice and the subsequent guidance voices, an explanation will be given.

[0014] The navigation device 1 includes a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver unit 11, an inertial sensor 12, a vehicle speed sensor 13, an operation unit 14, a map information storage unit 21, a first voice data storage unit 22, a second voice data storage unit 23, a display unit 28, a speaker 29, and a control unit (navigation control device) 30.

[0015] The GNSS receiver unit 11 is composed of a GNSS receiver that receives GNSS signals from GNSS satellites. The GNSS receiver unit 11 outputs the received GNSS signals to the position information acquisition unit 31.

[0016] The inertial sensor 12 is a sensor that detects the movement of the vehicle in three axial directions. The inertial sensor 12 includes a three-axis gyro sensor and a three-axis acceleration sensor. The inertial sensor 12 outputs the acquired sensor data to the movement detection unit 32.

[0017] The three-axis gyro sensor detects the angular velocity of the vehicle. The three-axis gyro sensor detects the attitude of the vehicle. More specifically, the three-axis gyro sensor has a roll rate gyro, a pitch rate gyro, and a yaw rate gyro. The roll rate gyro detects the roll angular velocity, which is the angular velocity of rotation about the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The pitch rate gyro detects the pitch angular velocity, which is the angular velocity of rotation about the lateral direction of the vehicle. The yaw rate gyro detects the yaw angular velocity, which is the angular velocity of rotation about the vertical direction of the vehicle. The three-axis gyro sensor outputs the roll angular velocity detected by the roll rate gyro, the pitch angular velocity detected by the pitch rate gyro, and the yaw angular velocity detected by the yaw rate gyro as angular velocity signals to the movement detection unit 32.

[0018] The three-axis acceleration sensor is a sensor that detects the acceleration of the vehicle. More specifically, the three-axis acceleration sensor detects the acceleration generated in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the acceleration generated in the lateral direction of the vehicle, and the acceleration generated in the vertical direction of the vehicle. The three-axis acceleration sensor outputs the detected acceleration of the vehicle as an acceleration output signal to the movement detection unit 32.

[0019] The vehicle speed sensor 13 is a sensor that detects the vehicle speed of the vehicle. More specifically, the vehicle speed sensor 13 is arranged on the drive shaft or the tire of the vehicle. The vehicle speed sensor 13 detects a pulse signal corresponding to the rotation of the drive shaft or the tire. The vehicle speed sensor 13 outputs the detected pulse signal to the vehicle speed detection unit 33.

[0020] The operation unit 14 receives various operations on the navigation device 1. The operation unit 14 can receive, for example, a guidance request operation. The operation unit 14 can be realized by, for example, a physical switch or a touch panel provided on the display unit 28. The operation unit 14 may also be realized by, for example, a microphone that receives voice operations. In this case, the guidance request operation is received as a guidance request operation when, for example, the user's utterance such as "once again" or "please again" is recognized.

[0021] The map information storage unit 21 stores map information including road and intersection information. The map information storage unit 21 stores route information for which route guidance is provided by the navigation device 1. The map information storage unit 21 may be a storage device such as an external server that acquires map information via a communication function.

[0022] The first voice data storage unit 22 stores voice data of guidance voice by the first voice. The first voice data storage unit 22 stores, for example, voice data of guidance voice by the first speaker. The first voice data storage unit 22 stores, for example, guidance voice at the first speaking speed as voice data by the first voice. The first voice data storage unit 22 stores, for example, guidance voice in the first tone as voice data by the first voice. The first voice data storage unit 22 stores, for example, guidance voice in the first intonation as voice data by the first voice. The first voice data storage unit 22 may be a storage device such as an external server that acquires voice data of the first speaker via a communication function.

[0023] The second voice data storage unit 23 stores voice data of guidance voice by a second voice different from the first voice. The second voice data storage unit 23 stores voice data of guidance voice by a second speaker different from the first speaker. The second voice data storage unit 23 stores, for example, guidance voice at a second speaking speed slower than the first speaking speed as voice data by the second voice. The second voice data storage unit 23 stores, for example, guidance voice in a second tone stricter than the first tone as voice data by the second voice. The second voice data storage unit 23 stores, for example, guidance voice in a second intonation with a stronger intonation than the first intonation as voice data by the second voice. The second voice data storage unit 23 may be a storage device such as an external server that acquires voice data of the second speaker via a communication function.

[0024] The display unit 28 displays various images. The display unit 28 displays a map. The display unit 28 displays, for example, the route guidance image of the navigation device 1. The display unit 28 is, for example, a display device shared with other systems including an audio system. The display unit 28 is a display including, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The display unit 28 displays an image based on the video signal output from the display control unit 38.

[0025] The speaker 29 outputs various sounds. The speaker 29 is a sound output unit that outputs the guidance voice for route guidance. The speaker 29 is, for example, a sound output device shared with other systems including an audio system. The speaker 29 outputs a sound based on the sound signal output from the sound output control unit 39.

[0026] <Navigation control device> The control unit 30 is an arithmetic processing device composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a video processing processor. The control unit 30 loads the program stored in the storage unit into the memory and executes the instructions included in the program. When the control unit 30 receives a guidance request operation such as the user missing the guidance voice during the guidance of the route to the destination, the control unit 30 controls to change the output mode of the guidance voice and output it. The control unit 30 includes a position information acquisition unit 31, a movement detection unit 32, a vehicle speed detection unit 33, an operation reception unit 34, a map information acquisition unit 35, a route search unit 36, a route guidance unit 37, a display control unit 38, and a sound output control unit 39. The control unit 30 includes an internal memory (not shown), and the internal memory is used for temporary storage of data in the control unit 30. The control unit 30 may be composed of one or a plurality of devices.

[0027] The position information acquisition unit 31 acquires position information indicating the current position of the vehicle. The position information acquisition unit 31 acquires position information based on, for example, the GNSS signal from the GNSS reception unit 11.

[0028] The movement detection unit 32 detects the movement (motion) of the vehicle in three axial directions based on the angular velocity signal and the acceleration signal of the inertial sensor 12. The movement detection unit 32 detects the acceleration and inclination of the vehicle from the acceleration signal of the inertial sensor 12. The movement detection unit 32 detects the rotational speed of the vehicle from the angular velocity signal of the inertial sensor 12. The movement detection unit 32 detects the movement of the vehicle based on the acceleration and inclination of the vehicle and the rotational speed. The detection method in the movement detection unit 32 can use a known method and is not limited.

[0029] The vehicle speed detection unit 33 detects the speed of the vehicle based on the pulse signal. More specifically, the vehicle speed detection unit 33 multiplies the pulse signal output from the vehicle speed sensor 13 by a conversion coefficient (unit: m / pulse) for converting to distance to calculate the speed. The detection method in the vehicle speed detection unit 33 can use a known method and is not limited.

[0030] The operation reception unit 34 receives an operation signal regarding an operation received from the user via the operation unit 14. More specifically, the operation reception unit 34 acquires operation information indicating a guidance request operation for outputting the guidance voice again and outputs a control signal.

[0031] The map information acquisition unit 35 acquires map information from the map information storage unit 21.

[0032] The route search unit 36 searches for a route to the destination. The method for searching for a route can use a known route search method and is not limited. The searched route information includes information indicating guidance points such as right and left turn points.

[0033] The route guidance unit 37 performs route guidance to the searched destination. The route guidance unit 37 performs route guidance along the searched route. The method for guiding a route can use a known route guidance method and is not limited. The route guidance unit 37 guides the route by means of a route guidance image and guidance voice.

[0034] The display control unit 38 controls the display unit 28 to display images and the like. The display control unit 38 may control to display a map image including roads based on the map information stored in the map information storage unit 21. The display control unit 38 displays, for example, the route guidance image of the navigation device 1.

[0035] The voice output control unit 39 controls to output a guidance voice for guiding the route by the route guidance unit 37 from the speaker 29. The voice output control unit 39 causes a guidance voice to be output at a guidance point based on the voice data stored in the first voice data storage unit 22 or the voice data stored in the second voice data storage unit 23. In the present embodiment, in the automatic guidance which is the first guidance voice, the voice output control unit 39 causes a guidance voice by the first voice to be output at the guidance point based on the voice data stored in the first voice data storage unit 22. In the present embodiment, in the requested guidance by a guidance request operation, the voice output control unit 39 causes a guidance voice by the second voice to be output at the guidance point based on the voice data stored in the second voice data storage unit 23.

[0036] When the voice output control unit 39 receives a guidance request operation by the operation reception unit 34, it outputs a guidance voice with the output mode changed from the previous guidance voice. When the voice output control unit 39 receives a guidance request operation, for example, it outputs a guidance voice with the speaker changed from the previous guidance voice. When the voice output control unit 39 receives a guidance request operation, for example, it outputs a guidance voice with the volume changed from the previous guidance voice. When the voice output control unit 39 receives a guidance request operation, for example, it outputs a guidance voice with the speech rate changed from the previous guidance voice. When the voice output control unit 39 receives a guidance request operation, for example, it outputs a guidance voice with the tone changed from the previous guidance voice. When the voice output control unit 39 receives a guidance request operation, for example, it outputs a guidance voice with the mood changed from the previous guidance voice.

[0037] <Route Guidance Processing in a Navigation Control Device> Using FIG. 2, the route guidance process according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the route guidance process according to the first embodiment. In the navigation device 1, when the route guidance along the searched route is started by the route guidance unit 37, the route guidance process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 is executed. A route guidance image is displayed on the display unit 28. Guidance voice is output from the speaker 29 at the guidance point. In the description of this flowchart, the change in the output mode will be described as changing the speaker of the first guidance voice and the subsequent guidance voices.

[0038] The control unit 30 acquires the position information of the current position of the vehicle by the position information acquisition unit 31 (step S101). The control unit 30 proceeds to step S102.

[0039] The control unit 30 determines whether it has approached the guidance point (step S102). More specifically, the control unit 30 determines whether it has approached the guidance point based on the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 31 and the route information by the route guidance unit 37. The control unit 30 determines, for example, whether it has reached a point several 100 m before the guidance point. When the control unit 30 determines that it has approached the guidance point (Yes in step S102), it proceeds to step S103. When the control unit 30 determines that it has not approached the guidance point (No in step S102), it executes the process of step S101 again.

[0040] When it is determined that it has approached the guidance point (Yes in step S102), the control unit 30 causes the guidance voice to be uttered (step S103). More specifically, the control unit 30 causes the guidance voice to be output automatically from the speaker 29 by the voice output control unit 39. The control unit 30 proceeds to step S104.

[0041] The control unit 30 acquires the position information of the current position of the vehicle by the position information acquisition unit 31 (step S104). The control unit 30 proceeds to step S105.

[0042] The control unit 30 determines whether or not the guidance point has been passed (step S105). More specifically, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the guidance point has been passed based on the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 31 and the route information by the route guidance unit 37. When the control unit 30 determines that the guidance point has not been passed (Yes in step S105), it proceeds to step S106. When the control unit 30 does not determine that the guidance point has not been passed (No in step S105), it proceeds to step S108.

[0043] When it is determined that the guidance point has not been passed (Yes in step S105), the control unit 30 determines whether or not a guidance request operation has been received by the operation reception unit 34 (step S106). When the control unit 30 determines that a guidance request operation has been received by the operation reception unit 34 (Yes in step S106), it proceeds to step S107. When the control unit 30 does not determine that a guidance request operation has been received by the operation reception unit 34 (No in step S106), it executes the process of step S104 again.

[0044] When it is determined that a guidance request operation has been received (Yes in step S106), the control unit 30 outputs a guidance voice with a speaker different from the first guidance voice (step S107). More specifically, the control unit 30 causes the voice output control unit 39 to output a guidance voice with a speaker different from the first guidance voice from the speaker 29. The control unit 30 executes the process of step S104 again.

[0045] When it is not determined that the guidance point has not been passed (No in step S105), the control unit 30 determines whether or not to end the process (step S108). The control unit 30 determines to end the process, for example, when the destination has been reached or when an end operation for route guidance has been received. When the control unit 30 determines to end the process (Yes in step S108), it ends the process of this flowchart. When the control unit 30 does not determine to end the process (No in step S108), it executes the process of step S101 again.

[0046] Using FIG. 3, the guidance voice during route guidance will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the guidance voice on the route. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the route R turns left at the intersection C1. The intersection C1 is a guidance point. Let the point 300 m before the intersection C1 be P1, the point 180 m before be P2, and the point 100 m before be P3. In this example, in step S102, it is determined whether the vehicle has reached the point 300 m before the guidance point. When approaching point P1, it is determined as Yes in step S102. In step S103, the voice output control unit 39 outputs a guidance voice of automatic guidance, "About 300 m ahead, turn left", in the voice of speaker A. When the user makes the first guidance request operation at point P2, it is determined as Yes in step S106. In step S107, the voice output control unit 39 outputs a guidance voice, "About 180 m ahead, turn left", in the voice of speaker B, who is different from speaker A. When the user makes the second guidance request operation at point P3, it is determined as Yes in step S106. In step S107, the voice output control unit 39 outputs a guidance voice, "About 100 m ahead, turn left", in the voice of speaker B.

[0047] <Effect> As described above, in this embodiment, when a guidance request operation by the user is received, a guidance voice with a changed output mode from the previous guidance voice can be output. According to this embodiment, for the guidance voice after the second time, the output mode is changed from the previous guidance voice, and a guidance voice that is easy for the user to hear can be uttered. According to this embodiment, during the guidance of the route to the destination, a guidance voice that the user has missed can be re-uttered in an easy-to-hear manner.

[0048] In this embodiment, when a guidance request operation by the user is received, the auditory sense that the listener hears can be changed, such as changing the speaker, changing the volume, changing the speech rate, changing the tone of voice, and changing the mood of speech. According to this embodiment, during the guidance of the route to the destination, a guidance voice that the user has missed can be re-uttered with an appropriate auditory sense.

[0049] [Second Embodiment] With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the navigation device 1A according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the navigation device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of route guidance processing according to the second embodiment. In the present embodiment, the points that the navigation device includes a microphone 15A, a surrounding sound acquisition unit 41A, and an analysis unit 42A, and the processing of the voice output control unit 39A are different from those in the first embodiment.

[0050] The microphone 15A picks up surrounding sound, which is the surrounding voice. The microphone 15A picks up, for example, the voice of the audio system audible in the vehicle, the conversation of the user, road noise, wind noise, etc. as the surrounding sound. The microphone 15A is not an essential component if, for example, it only needs to acquire the voice output from the audio system.

[0051] The surrounding sound acquisition unit 41A acquires surrounding sound, which is the surrounding voice. The surrounding sound acquisition unit 41A acquires, for example, the surrounding sound picked up by the microphone 15A. The surrounding sound acquisition unit 41A may acquire, for example, the audio voice output from the audio system as the surrounding sound.

[0052] The analysis unit 42A analyzes the surrounding sound acquired by the surrounding sound acquisition unit 41A. The analysis unit 42A analyzes the frequency of the surrounding sound and analyzes, for example, the types of surrounding sound such as the voice of the audio system audible in the vehicle, the conversation of the user, road noise, wind noise, etc. Further, the analysis unit 42A may analyze the noise level (decibel). Further, the analysis unit 42A may analyze the frequency distribution of the elements that emit sound.

[0053] When the voice output control unit 39A receives a guidance request operation by the operation reception unit 34, if there is no change between the ambient sound at the time of output of the previous guidance voice and the ambient sound at the time of reception of the guidance request operation, it outputs the previous guidance voice and a guidance voice with a changed output mode. If there is a change, it outputs the guidance voice with the same output mode as the previous guidance voice.

[0054] The change between the ambient sound at the time of output of the previous guidance voice and the ambient sound at the time of reception of the guidance request operation (hereinafter referred to as "change in ambient sound") is, for example, a change in the amplitude of the frequency.

[0055] When analyzing the type of ambient sound, the analysis unit 42A stores model patterns of a plurality of voice waveforms, and determines the model pattern that is closest to the pattern of the voice waveform of the ambient sound at the time of output of the previous guidance voice. Next, it determines the model pattern that is closest to the pattern of the voice waveform of the ambient sound at the time of reception of the guidance request operation. If the closest model patterns received from the analysis unit 42A are the same, the voice output control unit 39A determines that there is no change in the ambient sound.

[0056] When analyzing the noise level, the voice output control unit 39A determines that there is no change in the ambient sound if the change in decibels is within a predetermined range.

[0057] When analyzing the frequency distribution of the elements that emit sound, the voice output control unit 39A may determine the presence or absence of a change based on whether there is a component of human voice.

[0058] Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the route guidance process according to the present embodiment will be described. The processes of step S141, step S142, step S144 to S147, and step S152 perform the same processes as step S101, step S102, step S103 to step S106, and step S108 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 2.

[0059] When it is determined that the guidance point has been approached (Yes in step S142), the control unit 30A acquires ambient sound, which is the ambient voice, by the ambient voice acquisition unit 41A (step S143). The control unit 30A proceeds to step S144.

[0060] When it is determined that a guidance request operation has been received (Yes in step S147), the control unit 30A acquires ambient sound, which is the ambient voice, by the ambient voice acquisition unit 41A (step S148). The control unit 30A proceeds to step S149.

[0061] The control unit 30A determines whether there is a change in the ambient sound (step S149). More specifically, the control unit 30A determines whether there is a change between the ambient sound at the time of output of the previous guidance voice and the ambient sound at the time of reception of the guidance request operation. When the control unit 30A determines that there is a change in the ambient sound (Yes in step S149), it proceeds to step S150. When the control unit 30A determines that there is no change in the ambient sound (No in step S149), it proceeds to step S151.

[0062] When it is determined that there is a change in the ambient sound (Yes in step S149), the control unit 30A speaks the previous guidance voice with the same speaker (step S150). More specifically, the control unit 30A causes the speaker 29 to output the previous guidance voice with the same speaker by the voice output control unit 39A. The control unit 30A executes the process of step S145 again.

[0063] When it is determined that there is no change in the ambient sound (No in step S149), the control unit 30A speaks the previous guidance voice with a different speaker (step S151). More specifically, the control unit 30A causes the speaker 29 to output the previous guidance voice with a different speaker by the voice output control unit 39A. The control unit 30A executes the process of step S145 again.

[0064] <Effect> As described above, in this embodiment, when a guidance request operation is received and there is no change between the ambient sound at the time of output of the previous guidance voice and the ambient sound at the time of reception of the guidance request operation, a guidance voice with a changed output mode from the previous guidance voice is output. When there is a change, the guidance voice can be output in the same output mode as the previous guidance voice. According to this embodiment, according to the ambient sound, it is possible to make it easier to hear and reproduce the guidance voice that the user has missed.

[0065] [Third Embodiment] The navigation device 1 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of a speaking pattern. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of route guidance processing according to the third embodiment. In this embodiment, the processing of the voice output control unit 39 is different from that of the first embodiment.

[0066] The voice output control unit 39 outputs a guidance voice with a changed output mode from the previous guidance voice according to the number of times the guidance request operation is received by the operation reception unit 34. The voice output control unit 39 outputs a guidance voice with a changed output mode according to the number of times the guidance request operation is received, based on the speaking pattern data as shown in FIG. 6 stored in a storage unit (not shown).

[0067] The voice output control unit 39 may output a guidance voice with a changed output mode according to the number of times the guidance request operation is received, based on the voice data stored in the second voice data storage unit 23. At this time, as the number of times the guidance request operation is received increases, changes such as increasing the volume of the guidance voice, making the tone stricter, and making the intonation stronger are made.

[0068] Using FIG. 6, an example of the speech pattern will be described. The speech pattern is stored in the memory unit. Also, the voice data corresponding to the speech pattern is stored as the voice data storage unit. In any speech pattern, the automatic guidance, which is the first guidance voice, outputs the guidance voice with the voice of speaker A. In speech pattern 1, in the request guidance after the first time, the guidance voice is output with the voice of speaker B. In speech pattern 2, in the first request guidance, the guidance voice is output with the voice of speaker A, and in the request guidance after the second time, the guidance voice is output with the voice of speaker B. In speech pattern 3, in the request guidance after the first time, the guidance voice is output alternately with the voices of speaker B and speaker A. In speech pattern 3, in the odd-numbered request guidance, the guidance voice is output with the voice of speaker B, and in the even-numbered request guidance, the guidance voice is output with the voice of speaker A. In speech pattern 4, in the first request guidance, the guidance voice is output with the voice of speaker B, in the second request guidance, the guidance voice is output with the voice of speaker C, and in the third request guidance, the guidance voice is output with the voice of speaker D.

[0069] The voice output control unit 39 may change the speech pattern according to the type of the guidance voice. For example, when the guidance voice requires a driving operation such as turning right or left or accelerating or decelerating, such as "ahead ○○m, in the ○ direction" or "ahead ○○m, toll gate", the voice output control unit 39 outputs a guidance voice with the output mode changed based on speech pattern 4. The guidance voice that requires a driving operation is to be spoken by changing the speaker so as to surely prevent overlooking. For example, when the guidance voice does not require a corresponding driving operation, such as "keep going straight", the voice output control unit 39 outputs a guidance voice with the output mode changed based on speech pattern 1.

[0070] Next, using FIG. 7, the route guidance process according to the present embodiment will be described. The processes of steps S161 to S166 and step S168 perform the same processes as steps S101 to S106 and step S108 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 2.

[0071] When it is determined that a guidance request operation has been received (Yes in step S166), the control unit 30 speaks a guidance voice in a voice that changes according to the number of guidance request operations (step S167). More specifically, the control unit 30 causes the voice output control unit 39 to speak a guidance voice in a voice that changes according to the number of guidance request operations from the speaker 29. The control unit 30 executes the process of step S164 again.

[0072] <Effect> As described above, in the present embodiment, it is possible to output a guidance voice whose output mode is changed from the previous guidance voice according to the number of received guidance request operations. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to change the previous guidance voice and the output mode to speak a guidance voice that is easy for the user to hear. According to the present embodiment, during the guidance of the route to the destination, it is possible to make it easy to hear and re-speak the guidance voice that the user has missed.

[0073] Although the navigation device according to the present disclosure has been described, it may be implemented in various different forms other than the above-described embodiments.

[0074] Each component of the illustrated navigation device is conceptually functional and does not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the figure. That is, the specific form of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or part of it may be functionally or physically distributed or integrated in any unit according to the processing load and usage status of each device.

[0075] The configuration of the navigation device is realized, for example, as software by a program loaded into a memory or the like. In the above embodiment, it has been described as a functional block realized by the cooperation of these hardware or software. That is, these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by hardware only, software only, or a combination thereof.

[0076] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the embodiments are not limited by the contents of these embodiments. Further, the above-described components include those that can be easily assumed by those skilled in the art, substantially identical components, and those within the so-called equivalent range. Furthermore, the above-described components can be combined as appropriate. Moreover, various omissions, substitutions, or changes of the components can be made without departing from the gist of the above-described embodiments.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0077] 1 Navigation device 11 GNSS receiver unit 12 Inertial sensor 13 Vehicle speed sensor 14 Operation unit 21 Map information storage unit 22 First audio data storage unit 23 Second audio data storage unit 28 Display unit 29 Speaker 30 Control unit (navigation control device) 31 Position information acquisition unit 32 Movement detection unit 33 Vehicle speed detection unit 34 Operation reception unit 35 Map information acquisition unit 36 Route search unit 37 Route guidance unit 38 Display control unit 39 Audio output control unit

Claims

1. A position information acquisition unit that acquires position information indicating a current position; A route guidance unit that guides a route to a destination; An audio output control unit that controls to output a guidance voice that guides the route by the route guidance unit; An operation reception unit that receives an operation on an operation unit; Comprising; The operation reception unit receives a guidance request operation to output the guidance voice again; When the operation reception unit receives a guidance request operation, the audio output control unit outputs the previous guidance voice and the guidance voice with the output mode changed; A navigation control device.

2. The change in the output mode is to change the auditory sense that the listener hears. The navigation control device according to claim 1. The navigation control device according to claim 1.

3. A surrounding voice acquisition unit that acquires surrounding voice which is surrounding sound; An analysis unit that analyzes the surrounding voice acquired by the surrounding voice acquisition unit; Comprising; When the operation reception unit receives a guidance request operation, the audio output control unit outputs the previous guidance voice and the guidance voice with the output mode changed based on the analysis result by the analysis unit, if there is no change between the surrounding voice at the time of output of the previous guidance voice and the surrounding voice at the time of reception of the guidance request operation, and outputs the guidance voice with the same output mode as the previous guidance voice if there is a change. The navigation control device according to claim 1 or 2. The navigation control device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The audio output control unit outputs the previous guidance voice and the guidance voice with the output mode changed according to the number of times the operation reception unit receives a guidance request operation. The navigation control device according to claim 1 or 2. The navigation control device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. A position information acquisition step of acquiring position information indicating a current position; A route guidance step of guiding a route to a destination; An audio output control step of controlling to output a guidance voice that guides the route by the route guidance step; An operation reception step of receiving an operation on an operation unit; Including; The operation reception step receives a guidance request operation to output the guidance voice again; When the operation reception step receives a guidance request operation, the audio output control step outputs the previous guidance voice and the guidance voice with the output mode changed. A navigation method executed by a navigation device. A navigation method executed by a navigation device.

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